Sheppey College expansion approved
Published
Friday 13 September, 2024
Updated
Friday 13 September, 2024
Young people on the Isle of Sheppey will benefit from increased opportunities to learn the skills they need to start their working lives, after councillors approved plans for the expansion of Sheppey College.
The East Kent Colleges Group's proposal, which will create approximately 1,000 square meters of new teaching space, has been approved by Swale Borough Council's planning committee.
This expansion is a key component of the council's £20 million Sheerness Revival project, funded by the UK Government.
The new facilities will not only accommodate more students but also offer a wider range of courses, including creative, engineering, and logistics subjects.
This will equip local 16–19-year-olds with the skills they need to thrive in today's job market and contribute to the local economy.
In addition to the college expansion, the Sheerness Revival project includes plans to improve leisure and health facilities at Beachfields and refurbish the historic Masters House site.
Councillor Monique Bonney, chair of the economy and property committee, said:
"Improving the education and training opportunities for young people in Sheerness, and across the whole Island, is one of the cornerstones of the Sheerness Revival project.
“The expansion of the college means there will be a wider range of courses available on the Island to help local young people get the skills they need to reach their potential and succeed in their chosen careers.”
Graham Razey, Chief Executive Officer of EKC Group, said:
“We are extremely pleased to have received planning approval for what promises to be a fantastic new asset for the Isle of Sheppey and the broader Swale borough.
"We worked hard to consult with the local community and I’m proud that we are now set to deliver an exciting capital project that will offer a fantastic new curriculum that will meet the needs of Sheppey’s employers and its many residents.
"The new building will enable us to offer the community we serve on the Island new provision in the creative, engineering and logistics areas, as well as giving us space for our new 14 to 16-year-old Junior College.”
Another of the schemes that make up Sheerness Revival, the creation of new business units at Masters House, were also agreed at the meeting, read more here.
The final element, improved health, leisure and wellbeing facilities at Beachfields, are still being reviewed by the council’s planners and a decision is expected later this year.
