£16m revamp plans welcomed

Barrie White • Published 21 Jan 2012 17:30

COUNCILLORS and residents in Langley are welcoming the plans for East Berkshire College's £16m re-development.

The college, which was built in 1976, is funding the new building with the aid of a Government grant and held an open consultation at the campus in Station Road at the weekend.

The blueprints include more social space and study areas for the 2,400 students as well as adding a brand new sports centre, available for public use.

The plans for the college, which has another campus in Windsor, also included a new hospitality and catering department and it will be used to teach students and train staff from local businesses.

Councillor Pavitar Kaur Mann, commissioner for opportunity and skills at Slough Borough Council, said: "I am very excited about the proposals for the modernising of East Berkshire College.

"The plans for a new hospitality and catering department and sports centre will be a fantastic addition and will continue to increase the choice of full and part-time courses for our young people."

Peter Dale-Gough, Conservative councillor for Langley, welcomed the plans but highlighted car parking issues, which is a problem in Langley.

He said: "I think it's a good thing that they're expanding. It's good the college want to put on more apprenticeships. This is what the Government wants. The sports centre is a good thing too.

"The only problem I see is car parking. Parking in the area is the problem. This is going to bring more students who bring more cars."

Sachin Kakkar, 35, an IT consultant from Scholar's Walk who attended the consultation, said: "It's a great idea. My friends and I will try to use the sports centre as it will increase money for the college and for us as we wouldn't have to go too far to play."

Caterer Yogi Kandasamy, 49, from Hampton Road, said: "My first impressions are that it looks like a university. It's 100 times better for this area.

"I support the college 100%. It helps find jobs for all people. The facilities will help as people need more training and employment, and there's not enough money for training.

"I think I would take a course here in the future."

The college, which was built in 1976, is funding the new building with the aid of a Government grant and held an open consultation at the campus in Station Road at the weekend.

The blueprints include more social space and study areas for the 2,400 students as well as adding a brand new sports centre, available for public use.

The plans for the college, which has another campus in Windsor, also included a new hospitality and catering department and it will be used to teach students and train staff from local businesses.

Councillor Pavitar Kaur Mann, commissioner for opportunity and skills at Slough Borough Council, said: "I am very excited about the proposals for the modernising of East Berkshire College.

"The plans for a new hospitality and catering department and sports centre will be a fantastic addition and will continue to increase the choice of full and part-time courses for our young people."

Peter Dale-Gough, Conservative councillor for Langley, welcomed the plans but highlighted car parking issues, which is a problem in Langley.

He said: "I think it's a good thing that they're expanding. It's good the college want to put on more apprenticeships. This is what the Government wants. The sports centre is a good thing too.

"The only problem I see is car parking. Parking in the area is the problem. This is going to bring more students who bring more cars."

Sachin Kakkar, 35, an IT consultant from Scholar's Walk who attended the consultation, said: "It's a great idea. My friends and I will try to use the sports centre as it will increase money for the college and for us as we wouldn't have to go too far to play."

Caterer Yogi Kandasamy, 49, from Hampton Road, said: "My first impressions are that it looks like a university. It's 100 times better for this area.

"I support the college 100%. It helps find jobs for all people. The facilities will help as people need more training and employment, and there's not enough money for training.

"I think I would take a course here in the future."

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