Plans for 100 new homes on college campus site now submitted

PLANS to build more than 100 new homes and an an 80-bed care home on a college campus site have been officially submitted to Tamworth Borough Council.

An outline application for construction of up to 123 new homes (including 20 per cent affordable), an 80-bed care home, access, public open space, landscaping, attenuation basin and associated infrastructure at the South Staffordshire Tamworth College campus in Croft Street have been lodged.

We have previously reported on the plans and a public consultation on ideas for the site and now the application has been formally submitted.

The college is moving into the 1960s part of the former Co-operative building in the town centre as part of the Future High Street Fund regeneration project, with work ongoing and a plan to start teaching in January 2025.

A planning statement within the application explains: “The site was acquired by Homes England in March 2023 to help facilitate the college to move into into a new purpose built campus in the centre of Tamworth.

“The site is currently being leased back to the college until such time that they can complete their move.

“The site does not benefit from an allocation for housing in the Local Plan but as brownfield land within the existing urban area it represents a welcome windfall. Accordingly the principle of residential development in this location is considered acceptable pending the resolution of technical matters.

“The location of development, quantum and land use would comply with national and development plan policies with no in principle policy objections. Homes England therefore welcomes the opportunity to work with Tamworth Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council to progress the development proposal for approval.”

Ragu Sittambalam, senior planning and enabling manager at Homes England, told the Herald this week:

“We’re excited to have submitted the planning application for the residential redevelopment at South Staffordshire College which includes a care home for the elderly.

“This will improve access to public open space and provide new homes on brownfield land close to Tamworth town centre.

“Residents can view the plans on our website https:// southstaffordshirecollege. squarespace.com/ or through Tamworth Borough Council’s Public Access system.”

For more search 0363/2023 on https://planning.tamworth.gov.uk/ northgate/planningexplorer/ generalsearch.aspx.