THE district council recently debated the threatened relocation of the regional college. One of the key issues is finance. The business plan for re-developing the college at Hinchingbrooke is based on selling the California Road site to a property develop
THE district council recently debated the threatened relocation of the regional college. One of the key issues is finance.
The business plan for re-developing the college at Hinchingbrooke is based on selling the California Road site to a property developer so that 200 houses can be built (and the green field lost).
But, with the current housing slump and builders laying off staff and mothballing construction sites, will the college be able to sell the land, or sell it at a price that makes the Hinchingbrooke development affordable, therefore balancing its budget? I doubt it.
It is wrong to move the college. It will concrete over another chunk of our town, removing a key public facility from the centre of town but, even that aside, it is just dumb economics. My question at council was dismissed because "it was not a planning matter". It may not be a planning matter, but it is important. Can someone please tell your readers what the answer is?
Councillor DAVID PRIESTMAN
Huntingdonshire District Council
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here