Burnley UTC plans are grist to the mill

Barnfield Investment Properties has submitted plans for a new-concept University Technical College at Burnley’s Victoria Mill, part of the Lancashire town’s Weaver’s Triangle district.

The £10m plans would bring the Grade II listed mill back into use with teaching space, a lecture theatre, a laboratory and workplace learning areas for 800 Visions Learning Trust students, as well as a hall for sports, performance and public use.

The project is part of the wider regeneration of the Weavers Triangle.

The development and conversion of the historic former mill will be undertaken by Lancashire based Barnfield Construction in a joint venture with Burnley Borough Council and is due to commence in June 2012.

Barnfield project director Gareth Smith said the regeneration work being carried out in partnership with Burnley Borough Council was a perfect fit for the area.

“This development will be the catalyst to much wider and exciting opportunities in this area creating much needed footfall,” he said.

Daniel Jackson, senior planner at Indigo Planning, said the UTC would be the North West’s first.

“Weavers’ Triangle is one of the finest surviving Victorian industrial landscapes in the UK. These plans will help bring one of its gateway buildings back into use with careful restoration and help unlock other regeneration opportunities in the area,” he said.

Visions Learning Trust hopes to open the college to its first students in September 2013, subject to planning approval.