PLANS to transform Henley College into a care village have been unveiled this week.
It comes just three weeks after it was revealed the Stratford Road site would close its doors at the end of the academic year in July 2016.
College bosses say cuts to the further education budget and a decline in student numbers are to blame for the closure.
And at an exhibition held on Monday (September 28) proposals to redevelop the site into 43 one-and two-bedroom houses and apartments for older people were shown to the public for the first time.
Planning consultants for the Warwickshire College Group – of which Henley College forms part – say the care village will help meet Stratford district’s housing needs with a particular focus on older people.
It is understood the Grade II listed Arden House, which is currently used by the college for meetings, seminars, presentations, training courses and other events, will not be impacted as no demolition is proposed for the building.
And part of the 27-acre site which is greenbelt land will also be protected from development.
Under the proposals, there would be facilities for visiting GP’s, nurses and other health professionals and parking for each property.
No additional amenities such as shops or hairdressers are set to be included in the plans owing to the site’s close proximity and access to the town.
The war memorial will be reinstated it its original position to the west of the site with hopes of a memorial garden being created to surround it.
But the certainty of the on-site leisure centre, which is currently open to the public under restricted hours via a membership agreement, is not yet known.
The college group say it is keen to support the Stratford District Council’s strategy of growing existing settlements rather than pushing for new ones in unsustainable rural locations.
A Warwickshire College Group spokesperson said: “We were very pleased with the turnout at our public consultation event which outlined our very early plans for the Henley College site following a year-long review of the entire Warwickshire College Group estate.
“It was encouraging to see so many local people and stakeholders engage positively with the process and we are now collating responses as part of our report, which will then go to the planning authority.”
Students enrolled on courses are expected to be transferred to the group’s neighbouring sites in Leamington and Moreton Morrell when the college closes its doors next year.
