New £12m college building on way but councillors concerned over loss of car parking for town

The new Dudley Advance II will be built alongside the £9 million Dudley Advance building that was opened earlier in the year.

The new 37,000 sq ft build will include workshops, classrooms, project spaces, resource areas and welfare and support facilities around a four-storey building called The Hanger.

It will be built on the existing temporary car park on Priory Road.

However, councillors raised concerns about the build on the car park - predominately used by Dudley Council employees - due to the loss of 77 car parking spaces.

The car park currently has 126 spaces, with 49 spaces intended to be put back in for students and staff at the college.

Councillor Asif Ahmed, although for the plans, said the build would play a 'major role' in the lack of parking in the area.

He said: "I use to go to Dudley College myself and I want it to get bigger and better.

"However, being built on the car park will play a major role in the lack of car parking in the town.

"The question is where will the people who currently park their cars there go.

"Although I am not against the application itself, I think their should be a plea to the college to think about a provision for the car parking that will be taken away."

Planning officials went on to state that the car park, which has been 'temporary' for more than 10 years, was always intended to be developed on.

Ian Hunt, senior project engineer, explained: "120 cars will have to find somewhere else to go.

"But Wolverhampton Street and Stafford Street parking is in walking distance and in the town centre there is plenty of room.

"It does mean that cars could be competing in other streets though."

Planning documents say that the new centre will be a 'contemporary design which closely reflects the curriculum uses within'.

It goes on to state that it will offer an 'exciting and stimulating environment' that will be a 'landmark for Dudley and its future regeneration'.

Councillor, Keiran Casey, Vice-Chair of the Development Control Committee, said that the build would be 'an improvement to the town centre and education'.

He added: "While the loss of car parking is arguable, there are other places to park in the town centre, and this centre will be an improvement."

Lowell Williams, Dudley College Principal, added: "Dudley College is absolutely delighted that Advance II was given the go ahead at the planning committee.

"This is another landmark development for the both the college and Dudley itself. The fantastic new building will bring further life to the Dudley Learning Quarter complementing our existing facilities.

"More importantly with its focus on building technologies, digital engineering and fabrication, Advance II will provide high level skills training for employers and local people. More training, more jobs, more prosperity."