The idea of a new higher education centre for Hereford has been re-ignited after Herefordshire Council awarded a contract to local architects to draw up development options.
The council has put forward its Blackfriars site – worth £1.2 million – as part of its commitment to realising a higher education gateway for the city. In total, an alliance of partners has already allocated around £3 million to enhance degree-level education, opportunities and skills levels in the county.
Hereford architectural design practice Architype has been commissioned to deliver a feasibility study by the end of March 2010 - funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM).
Architype, which has a 25-year track record in developing environmentally sustainable learning facilities, will develop options for a multi-use site for higher and further education. This could include, student residential accommodation, union bar and Internet cafe and a modern technologically developed library. The firm is already developing the £2.9-million showcase library at Ledbury and the new primary school at Staunton-on-Wye.
The council would like the new higher education gateway to be built in the ESG regeneration area of the city on the site of the current Blackfriars Education Centre – between the new leisure and retail quarter and the new urban village in Hereford.
“The council would make the Blackfriars site available for the new build gateway project because it supports our vision of creating a new land of opportunity in Herefordshire”, said Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic development and community services.
“We need to be able to offer accessible higher education to our talented young people who leave our successful schools and would otherwise move to universities outside of the county, most likely never to return.
“With an attractive facility here in Hereford we may well bring in more talented individuals from outside of the county too, which in turn provides the right skills base to make the city attractive to enterprises already here or thinking of locating to Hereford. It is all about creating the right environment for everyone in Herefordshire to have the chance to shine, thrive and prosper in the future”.
Other benefits include making higher education more affordable for local young people and also for mature members of the community that may also have wanted the chance to go to university.
Jonathan Bretherton, chief executive of ESG Herefordshire, added: “The regeneration of the city potentially offers a great deal for our young people. A new higher education facility, combined with a multi-screen cinema, exciting new nightlife, bars and venues, together with residential accommodation and affordable housing in the urban village, could present a compelling proposition for staying, studying and succeeding in Herefordshire”.
“There is a commitment to use local architects and design practices wherever possible, so it is particularly good news that Hereford-based Architype has been chosen to deliver a feasibility study”.
Jonathan Hines, director of Architype, said: “We are delighted to be working with Herefordshire Council on this innovative project. As a local practice we are committed to supporting forward thinking and environmentally sustainable initiatives designed to enhance the future of this county”
The Blackfriars site will be available when employees move to the proposed new administrative centre for the council and the primary care trust in Plough Lane, Hereford. The purchase of Plough Lane will save the council £1.4 million a year in divesting itself of older more expensive to maintain premises.
Herefordshire’s partners in the enterprise are likely to include not only Herefordshire Council, but also NHS Herefordshire, Herefordshire College of Art, the Robert Owen Society and others.