PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR A BRAND-NEW CENTRE DESIGNED TO

Planning has been submitted for a brand-new centre to further expand the offer of Health, Innovation and digital technologies at Bury College.

The proposed development consists of a variety of innovative teaching and learning spaces for the delivery of Health, Social Care and Computing and Information Technology related courses, including the Government’s new Health and Digital T Levels. Whilst plans for the project began prior to the COVID pandemic, this new development is well timed to offer young people the opportunity to train in a range of high-demand areas and prepare them for industry in employment sectors of key importance to Bury and Greater Manchester economies.

The over £9 million new centre represents a significant financial investment for Bury’s economy. Funds for the project are supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Department for Education as well as the College, and is on target to deliver Environmental BREEAM “excellence”.

The team, consisting of Gardiner + Theobald project managers, Wilson Mason LLP architects, Waterman services and structural engineers, Iteriad Landscape architects, RLB cost consultants, with Ridge and Partners BREEAM assessor and highways consultant, have been collaborating on the project since August of last year.

The purpose-built centre has been designed to support the expansion of healthcare and digital technologies, as well as explore new opportunities for future curriculum development. The building is set to feature a range of state-of-the-art facilities such as a laboratory, simulated hospital ward and simulated domestic home as well as a digital environment and IT suites to support students in their practical learning.

The development looks to reinforce the College’s presence in the historic town, whilst enlivening the streetscape and significantly improving the public realm. Easily accessible via a range of public transport links including the Metro and bus transport hub, the project seeks to improve the viability of both services through increased demand, whilst generating a very sustainable transport strategy for the college and the town.

Lisa Matthews, Curriculum Director for Adult Provision & Higher Education said, “We are delighted that the planning application has been submitted to support our vision of creating a brand new centre for learning in the heart of Bury. The development will provide increased opportunities for individuals to study health, innovation and digital technologies from advanced through to degree level. These are critical employment sectors across Bury and Greater Manchester and we are proud to be expanding our offer to fully embrace them further.”