Plans to house 600 students in Ewell dropped in face of opposition

North East Surrey College of Technology (Nescot) unveiled plans in July to build student accommodation and houses on a college site used to care for farm animals in Reigate Road.

But in a dramatic u-turn the college has now decided to ditch the student element and build 94 homes instead of 79.

Plans for a retirement village with 120 units, covering about four acres of the 14 acre site, remain unchanged and drivers would still have to use a single entry and exit on Reigate Road.

The animal husbandry site in Reigate Road, Ewell

The Goodman Group has entered into a partnership with the college in order to build and manage the retirement village where Nescot students can undertake in-house training.

Barry Wastnidge, assistant principal at Nescot, said they took on board feedback from residents and are moving forward with the "most appropriate" use for the site.

Mr Wastnidge said: "We believe that we have come to the best possible solution to raise the funds whilst addressing a pressing need in our borough for both good quality elderly care and homes for families.

"We have done our best to bring the development to an acceptable mix of uses thus improving the financial stability for the college."

Barry Wastnidge, assistant principal at Nescot, at the public exhibition in July.

Nescot is under pressure to push ahead with the development in order to fund renovations to its academic campus.

It has secured a Government grant for part of the renovations on the condition that all improvement works are completed by September 2015.

Mr Wastnidge said: "It is very important that we raise the money to complete the significant improvement works to the academic campus and this upgrade to our facilities will enable us to compete against other colleges in the area."

A spokeswoman said a public exhibition opens in December and the college hopes to submit planning applications for the retirement village and homes in January.

She said: "The college has to weigh up listening to what residents have to say and its duty as a public body to run facilities properly to provide good services.

"The balance is houses and no student accommodation, plus senior living."

The original plans unveiled plans in July

Councillor Clive Woodbridge said: "Fair play to them. I think they have shown every desire to come up with something that is more acceptable to people who live in the area."

Back in July Stuart Seymour, who lives in Reigate Road, had asked: "Are we ready for St Trinian’s?

"Ewell village is not going to know what hit it. They are going to pour into Epsom."

On Tuesday he welcomed the change in plans, adding: "Common sense has prevailed."

His wife Linda said: "We are resigned to the fact there will be building at the other side of the road on the farm site. But I’m happy not to have the students because they can make a mess round here.

"I appreciate that they are in further education and want to help themselves but they are an untidy lot. There is still the issue of the care home and traffic."

Simon Webster, managing director of the Goodman Group, said they are delighted to be partners in creating a "unique intergenerational community" to meet the needs of Ewell.

He said: "In partnership with Nescot, we will develop programmes to enhance the life experiences for both seniors and students, including opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and permanent employment at our senior living community."

There is a public exhibition on the plans in the foyer of the main building at Nescot, in Reigate Road, between Monday, December 2 and Thursday, December 12.

It will be open from 10am and 8pm from Monday to Thursday and 10am and 5pm on the Friday.

What do you think of the changes?

Please leave a comment below or email alice.foster@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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