College’s Redevelopment Plans Unveiled, 25/05/04
Merton College has today (25 May) unveiled plans for the
redevelopment of its main campus in Morden.
Work will start in the summer to demolish a number of the
existing buildings which front the campus on London Road,
in preparation for construction of new structures which will
house a repositioned main entrance, library learning centre,
internet café and advice centre, as well as specially
designed classrooms, laboratories and workshops.
The redevelopment will be phased over the next three years,
ultimately enabling the college to transfer the sixth form
centre from Central Road and incorporate it within the main
campus. The resulting single site will serve some 5,000 students
covering a large range of courses.
Sally McEnhill, the college principal, said: “It has taken
some time to get to this stage but now we have in place a
development programme which will transform Merton College,
and reinforce its position as one of the leading educational
providers in south London.
“The redevelopment will enable us to provide much-improved
and enhanced facilities, and a wider range of courses. This
increase in real choice in education for the area will in
itself help encourage further education with local school
leavers, adults and employers.”
By architects Ash Design, the new buildings will consist
of some 20,000 sq m of space constructed using stone, glass
and steel. The design includes an impressive new main entrance
and atrium fronting London Road.
The £28 million redevelopment is being financed by
the Learning and Skills Council, and the proceeds of the
sale of the site of the sixth form centre on Central Road.
This will be closed in 2007 following its transfer to the
main campus.
Although the Central Road site does have planning permission
for residential development, this is only an ‘outline’ consent
and any scheme put forward by the developer which purchases
the site will need to go through the normal planning process
before work can commence.
Sally McEnhill continued: “We intend to keep the local community
up-to-date with our programme, both at London Road and Central
Road, through a periodic newsletter and through our website.
“Both the college and the sixth form centre will remain
fully operational throughout the development programme, with
concerted efforts made to minimise disruption both at the
sites and to the local community.”
ENDS
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