Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Press release
FROM CRC COMMITTEE - We are pleased to post for everyones attention this evening's leader from the Norwich Evening News
Monday, 14 April 2008
Evening News 14 April 2008
CITY COLLEGE BIDS TO ALLAY REDEVELOPMENT WORRIES
TRACEY GRAY
14 April 2008 18:27
Bosses at Norwich City College have tried to allay fears the campus redevelopment will cause disruption and problems for people living nearby.
Norwich City College revealed £215m plans to demolish its current buildings and rebuild the entire Ipswich Road site in December last year.
However, some residents have voiced their concerns claiming there has not been enough public consultation and discussion about the plans, which they fear will have a negative effect on what they regard as a quiet residential area.
On Saturday more than 100 people attended a meeting, organised by the College Redevelopment Concerns
(CRC) group, to air their fears.
Concerns raised included the multi-storey car park planned for the back of the site which some residents claim will be right behind their houses, a ring road bringing traffic round the perimeter of the site and teaching blocks up to five-storeys high.
People said the car park and high-rise blocks will affect the afternoon and evening daylight getting to their homes and gardens and bring round-the-clock noise, light and exhaust pollution.
A spokesman for CRC said: "We wish to state like our neighbours and other local residents that we are college, education and student friendly. We acknowledge that the campus in some areas falls short of what is expected in 2008 and beyond for our local students.
"However, the sudden and unprepared impact brought about by the enormity and scale of the proposals have resulted in causing great concern, anxiety and stress to residents.
"We believe the mass and density of the proposed redevelopment should have had longer and more profound discussion with the residents of Town Close Ward at a much earlier stage in the scheme and design process."
He said the group, whose website address is http://CollegeRedevelopmentConcerns.blogspot.com/, was now aiming to reduce the scale of the proposals and was urging everyone to raise their objections about the principle of the development to Norwich City Council by the deadline of Wednesday, April 23.
However, Dick Palmer, college principal, said: "The college does understand that the size and scale of the redevelopment of the campus poses concerns for many residents. Having lived on Grove Walk I do know what living in proximity to the college is all about.
"We know that the images created by the 'block model' have caused anxieties among some residents. To be absolutely clear, this model does not represent how the college will be built in the future - it was simply created to show the maximum building that the site could support and how there could be greater coherence to the site layout. However, there is no question of covering the campus with large 'block' buildings and this will be clear when actual designs are available.
"We are currently working with our architects to decide upon more realistic designs for any proposed buildings to be built in phase one and this process will continue for the next few months."
A spokesman for the college said it was keeping residents informed with a monthly newsletter delivered to houses explaining what is happening at each stage with the redevelopment.
Ü Do you have an education story? If so contact Evening News reporter Tracey Gray on 01603 772418 or email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk
TRACEY GRAY
14 April 2008 18:27
Bosses at Norwich City College have tried to allay fears the campus redevelopment will cause disruption and problems for people living nearby.
Norwich City College revealed £215m plans to demolish its current buildings and rebuild the entire Ipswich Road site in December last year.
However, some residents have voiced their concerns claiming there has not been enough public consultation and discussion about the plans, which they fear will have a negative effect on what they regard as a quiet residential area.
On Saturday more than 100 people attended a meeting, organised by the College Redevelopment Concerns
(CRC) group, to air their fears.
Concerns raised included the multi-storey car park planned for the back of the site which some residents claim will be right behind their houses, a ring road bringing traffic round the perimeter of the site and teaching blocks up to five-storeys high.
People said the car park and high-rise blocks will affect the afternoon and evening daylight getting to their homes and gardens and bring round-the-clock noise, light and exhaust pollution.
A spokesman for CRC said: "We wish to state like our neighbours and other local residents that we are college, education and student friendly. We acknowledge that the campus in some areas falls short of what is expected in 2008 and beyond for our local students.
"However, the sudden and unprepared impact brought about by the enormity and scale of the proposals have resulted in causing great concern, anxiety and stress to residents.
"We believe the mass and density of the proposed redevelopment should have had longer and more profound discussion with the residents of Town Close Ward at a much earlier stage in the scheme and design process."
He said the group, whose website address is http://CollegeRedevelopmentConcerns.blogspot.com/, was now aiming to reduce the scale of the proposals and was urging everyone to raise their objections about the principle of the development to Norwich City Council by the deadline of Wednesday, April 23.
However, Dick Palmer, college principal, said: "The college does understand that the size and scale of the redevelopment of the campus poses concerns for many residents. Having lived on Grove Walk I do know what living in proximity to the college is all about.
"We know that the images created by the 'block model' have caused anxieties among some residents. To be absolutely clear, this model does not represent how the college will be built in the future - it was simply created to show the maximum building that the site could support and how there could be greater coherence to the site layout. However, there is no question of covering the campus with large 'block' buildings and this will be clear when actual designs are available.
"We are currently working with our architects to decide upon more realistic designs for any proposed buildings to be built in phase one and this process will continue for the next few months."
A spokesman for the college said it was keeping residents informed with a monthly newsletter delivered to houses explaining what is happening at each stage with the redevelopment.
Ü Do you have an education story? If so contact Evening News reporter Tracey Gray on 01603 772418 or email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk
EDP 14/04/08
From CRC Committee - As a Committee we agree entirely with Mr Playfords comments as part of our remit is to save this iconic Norwich building.
We urge the public including current and former students, tutors and all others concerned about the future of this magnificent landmark building to make their comments and affection know to all through the press and our website.
We urge the public including current and former students, tutors and all others concerned about the future of this magnificent landmark building to make their comments and affection know to all through the press and our website.
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Press release
Our Fears Over City College Expansion
Elaine, left, Mark with son Raphael and partner Kiria, right, who are holding a public meeting on Saturday. Photo: Simon Finlay
TRACEY GRAY - EVENING NEWS
09 April 2008 15:00
A group of neighbours living near Norwich City College who are worried about the potential effects of its new redevelopment are holding a meeting this week.
Norwich City College revealed £215m plans to demolish its current buildings and rebuild the entire Ipswich Road site in December last year - plans education bosses say are essential to produce the city's next generation of skilled workers.
But neighbours, many with homes backing onto the site, are worried about the redevelopment and how it might effect what they call a quiet residential area, have formed a group, College Redevelopment Concerns (CRC).
They are holding a meeting at St Albans Church Hall, opposite The Trafford Arms in Grove Road, Saturday 12 at 3pm.
A spokesman for the group, which has about 70 members, said they were concerned about the proposals to build five-storey high buildings at the bottom of their gardens and were questioning the need for a total re-build.
He said they were also worried about damage which might be done to mature trees by the planned two-storey car park for the campus and that the existing college building - first opened in 1953, would be pulled down.
Mark a member of the group who lives in Grove Road near the college, said: “We are certainly not against improvements at Norwich City College but we would like to be able to work with the college and city planners to ensure that our lives will not be too badly affected by the plans.”
Kiria, another group member, said: “We have yet to be convinced that this large-scale demolition and rebuilding - which will destroy wildlife and views, seriously limit our enjoyment of our homes, garden and neighbourhood and bring noise, dust and extra traffic, is even necessary.”
A spokesman for Norwich City College, said: “City College is absolutely committed to working with the local community throughout the redevelopment of the campus and we will ensure they are involved and fully informed every step of the way throughout the project.
“This redevelopment is vital to provide future generations of Norfolk's youngsters with the world-class skills that will be needed in the future.
“We want to create a world-class campus, one that inspires and motivates our students, one that the local community can look on with pride - a flagship for Norwich and Norfolk.”
Are you fighting a planning application where you live? Call Evening News reporter Tracey Gray on 01603 772418 or email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk
Elaine, left, Mark with son Raphael and partner Kiria, right, who are holding a public meeting on Saturday. Photo: Simon FinlayTRACEY GRAY - EVENING NEWS
09 April 2008 15:00
A group of neighbours living near Norwich City College who are worried about the potential effects of its new redevelopment are holding a meeting this week.
Norwich City College revealed £215m plans to demolish its current buildings and rebuild the entire Ipswich Road site in December last year - plans education bosses say are essential to produce the city's next generation of skilled workers.
But neighbours, many with homes backing onto the site, are worried about the redevelopment and how it might effect what they call a quiet residential area, have formed a group, College Redevelopment Concerns (CRC).
They are holding a meeting at St Albans Church Hall, opposite The Trafford Arms in Grove Road, Saturday 12 at 3pm.
A spokesman for the group, which has about 70 members, said they were concerned about the proposals to build five-storey high buildings at the bottom of their gardens and were questioning the need for a total re-build.
He said they were also worried about damage which might be done to mature trees by the planned two-storey car park for the campus and that the existing college building - first opened in 1953, would be pulled down.
Mark a member of the group who lives in Grove Road near the college, said: “We are certainly not against improvements at Norwich City College but we would like to be able to work with the college and city planners to ensure that our lives will not be too badly affected by the plans.”
Kiria, another group member, said: “We have yet to be convinced that this large-scale demolition and rebuilding - which will destroy wildlife and views, seriously limit our enjoyment of our homes, garden and neighbourhood and bring noise, dust and extra traffic, is even necessary.”
A spokesman for Norwich City College, said: “City College is absolutely committed to working with the local community throughout the redevelopment of the campus and we will ensure they are involved and fully informed every step of the way throughout the project.
“This redevelopment is vital to provide future generations of Norfolk's youngsters with the world-class skills that will be needed in the future.
“We want to create a world-class campus, one that inspires and motivates our students, one that the local community can look on with pride - a flagship for Norwich and Norfolk.”
Are you fighting a planning application where you live? Call Evening News reporter Tracey Gray on 01603 772418 or email tracey.gray@archant.co.uk
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