Barton Peveril given go-ahead to build new art and design school

The two-storey facility at Barton Peveril College in Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, will help it cater for a huge increase in students over the next six years.

Eastleigh Borough Council has approved proposals to build the new school on one of the car parks.

Students at Barton Peveril College celebrate after it was rated Outstanding by Ofsted (Image: Barton Peveril College)

A report prepared by planning officers described Barton Peveril as a popular and long-established sixth-form college.

It added: "The college accommodates almost 4,800 students and is looking to enlarge its facilities to keep pace with predicted population growth and future student numbers.

"Work is underway on the college’s new business school, which will provide additional capacity for 750 students and will roughly meet the present demand.

"However, admissions are predicted to continue to grow by 3-5% per annum, resulting in a further 900 student places needed by 2029."

READ MORE: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted

The report said the art and design school would improve the quality of the current facilities by providing specialist classrooms, workshops and studios.

"The development will enable the existing art and design building to be converted back into conventional classrooms.

"Reusing the building will increase capacity for 912 students and so cater for the projected growth in students up until 2029.

"The site is located within the urban edge where the principle of development is acceptable, subject to compliance with the relevant planning policies."

Barton Peveril College has been given permission to build a new art and design school on one of its car parks (Image: Barton Peveril College)

The report said the new building would be "tucked away" at the rear of the site.

It would be similar in size to the existing college buildings and would fit in with the prevailing pattern of development on the site.

The report added: "A resident’s parking scheme has been introduced in the area to discourage students from using private transport and parking on nearby roads.

"Students are encouraged to travel sustainably, and a discounted bus pass is offered.

"As a result, the majority of the students from the wider area use the dedicated college bus services. Students from the local area are able to walk or cycle to the college."

READ MORE: TV's Charlie Luxton opens state-of-the-art Energy Hub at Fareham College

The report said the building would result in the loss of 46 parking places at the college.

"To replace this Barton Peveril have agreed a three-year lease with Places to allow up to 40 staff to park within the leisure centre car park, which is a ten-minute walk from the site."