Art college to be used for retirement homes? (From Worcester News)

Art college to be used for retirement homes?

1:40pm Friday 14th December 2012 in News

THE Barbourne College of Art and Design, Worcester, could be turned into retirement apartments.

Developer McCarthy and Stone is drawing up plans to create about 28 one-bedroom flats and 31 two-bed flats at the Barbourne Road site.

Worcester College of Technology is relocating its art and design school to the former Russell and Dorrell showroom in Dolday.

The relocation is expected to take place in 2014.

McCarthy and Stone said it aims to redevelop the site sensitively and wants to keep the front of the building and most of the existing exterior in Barbourne Terrace.

The development will include all the existing trees and create new garden areas.

People are now being given the chance to view the plans and offer feedback at the Magdalene Room, St George’s Church, Barbourne, on Monday.

McCarthy and Stone’s Richard Williams said the comments will help the project team tailor the proposals, which will need to be submitted to Worcester City Council before the scheme can go ahead.

“We’ve already spent time carefully researching the architecture and character of the local area, but we need to ensure what we build is what our customers, as well as the local community, would like to see in Worcester,” he said.

A representative from Worcester College of Tech-nology will also be at the display, which runs from 3.30pm to 7.30pm, to answer questions about the relocation.

People who are unable to attend the public exhibition, or would like further information, should call 0800 2987040 or go to mccarthyandstone-consultation.co.uk/barbourneroad