Shrewsbury-based architects DGA Ltd met the College’s deadline for submission of the full planning application by Christmas with a couple of days in hand. The application sets out in greater detail the proposals already discussed in outline with Baschurch Parish Council, Shropshire Council and Walford students and staff.
Andrew Tyley, College Principal & Chief Executive, sees this as an important step in the process: “We are keen to start work on this next phase of development as soon as possible after Easter. We hope to get the planning application approved by the end of February and our design team have already started work on the tender documents so that we can start the tender process for the main construction phase as soon as we get confirmation from the planners. As things stand we are right on track to have the first buildings ready for the start of autumn term, with the remaining works completed later in the autumn.”
Transformation is already underway
With planning consent for the new £1m dairy unit received before Christmas, work started over the holiday period and already the campus is starting to look very different. The majority of demolition work has been completed to make way for the construction of the new dairy and youngstock buildings, which are due to be erected later in January.
Neil Ridgway, Farm Manager at Walford, is impressed with the rate of progress and the scale of the transformation: “After over eighteen months planning for the new dairy, it is really satisfying to see the changes now taking place. The investment will give us a superb, modern dairy and bring back into use some fantastic listed buildings for educational purposes. At the same time it provides a great opportunity to remove some of the poorer quality farm buildings which have outgrown their usefulness. The views and whole ambience of the campus already feels quite different and there is a great sense of anticipation and excitement around the College.”
Open Event on 9th February
Prospective students and their parents will have an opportunity to see progress for themselves at the next Walford open event, which is scheduled for Saturday 9 February from 10.00am to 2.00pm. As part of the open event, prospective applicants will be given a tour of the campus as well as a display with details of the new student facilities and the farm.
Chris Jones, Head of Faculty for Land-based Studies at Walford notes: “We are already seeing strong interest for places at Walford for September 2013. I have no doubt that the improvements to teaching and practical facilities will help us achieve another record year for Walford this summer”.
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