Blackpool College planning new building for the influx of construction students

A new building is planned for Blackpool and The Fylde College to accommodate the high number of students enrolling on its construction course.

The building will allow extra space for those who are enrolling on the college’s painting and decorating course.

An application has been lodged with Blackpool Council’s planners for the erection of a single storey extension to the side of an existing single storey building at the college’s Bispham site on Ashfield Road.

The proposals were lodged last month and confirmed as a valid application this week. It is now awaiting a decision by planners.

A Design and Access Statement for the application said: “The proposed scheme is to provide a new fit for purpose building to house the teaching of Construction /painting and decorating skills at the Blackpool and The Fylde College, Bispham Campus.

“The requirement for this building is due to the high numbers of students enrolling on Construction courses this academic year and the forecast for future years.

“This is also in support of the Government’s recent announcement in relation to the Construction sector. Up to 60,000 more construction related trades are required to be trained across the UK by 2029.

“The Chancellor outlined how the Government will train more workers to tackle skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the construction sector.

“Reforms will get young people into well paid, high skilled, jobs in the construction sector by funding additional placements, establishing Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships, and expanding Skills Bootcamps.

“This injection of over £600 million over the next four years will also encourage experienced builders to help train and inspire the next generation.

“Blackpool and the Fylde College intend to be integral to ensuring the training of young people across the Fylde region accordingly in support of the Government targets. “

Existing facilities provided at Bispham Campus include Engineering, Construction, Heating and Ventilation and Automotive, amongst many others.

The proposed extension aims to provide additional floor space to teach painting and decorating skills that is adjacent to their current location within the campus. The location for the new unit is to allow the connection of existing services and equipment and a close link to provide teaching and supervision.

The overall size of the building extension is 13.320m long in two bays 8.394m wide and 3.825m high to eaves – 15degree roof pitch.

The proposed building will match the type of construction of the building that it is to be extended on to, as well as others on the Bispham campus.