‘OUTRAGEOUS’ plans are on the table to knock down Northwich’s college campus and build 108 homes in its place, the Guardian can reveal.

Members of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Northwich Town Council and Hartford Parish Council were invited to a meeting this week where plans for the future of the Hartford campus were unveiled – out of sight from the press and public.

Warrington and Vale Royal College is working with Warrington-based Lane End Developments on the scheme, which also includes plans to demolish the £7.5 million arts block built just six years ago.

READ > MPs call on college principal to resign over Hartford campus plans

Cllr Patricia Parkes, Conservative CWAC member for Hartford and Greenbank, fought against plans from major housebuilder Redrow to build 258 more houses in her ward earlier this month.

She said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken.

“The arts block was brand new and cost millions, so we would like to see it passed onto Hartford Parish Council as a community asset.

“It is outrageous that the plan is for more housing. We had the Redrow development turned down over air quality, and now we have got this.

“But the problem is that it is a brownfield site – Hartford’s neighbourhood plan supports building on brownfield sites as opposed to in open countryside.”

The college, which formed following the merger of Mid Cheshire College and Warrington Collegiate last year, announced plans to close the Hartford campus in March as part of wider changes to its estates in Northwich, Winsford and Warrington.

Mervyn Ward, chairman of the college's Board of Corporation, released a statement following the news.

He said: “The decision to close Hartford campus was taken collectively by the Board of Corporation following a review of the college’s estate, which demonstrated that Hartford campus was seriously under-utilised and financially unviable. Significant work has been undertaken to market the curriculum, however, the college’s income has continued to reduce due to a historical decline in student numbers.

"Our strategy to re-shape the Vale Royal aspect of the college’s operation and estate, focusses on Winsford as the primary location. We have been working closely with key stakeholders in the Winsford area who have embraced the college in their plans for the re-generation of the town, to which the college is entirely committed.

"Our Winsford campus which is five miles from Hartford, offers a wide range of curriculum including; art and design, business, childcare, electrical engineering, foundation learning, graphic design, health and social care, IT and gaming, media, mechanical engineering, public services and travel and tourism. Students also benefit from a complimentary 24/7 Arriva bus pass, which we are continuing to provide in 2019.

"We also have an increasing number of students choosing to take advantage of the campus’ state-of-the-art facilities at Warrington.  Students commencing or continuing their studies in construction trades, hair and beauty, hospitality and catering, performing arts and sport, travel to Warrington on the college’s free shuttle bus.

"Warrington & Vale Royal College have invested in the Vale Royal area and are currently reviewing adult learning opportunities and needs in the locality.”

Cllr Sam Naylor, Labour member for Winnington and Castle, is a Hartford resident and has been calling on the college to provide provision for Northwich students who might struggle to attend courses out-of-town.

“It is just an absolute travesty,” he said.

“It seems that the people running the college are wanting to get Hartford off their backs as soon as possible, and they have obviously been working extremely hard in engaging developers.”

News of the development comes just days after the college launched an online survey assessing the demand for adult education courses in the town.

Cllr Parkes added that residents of all ages want to benefit from further education courses in Northwich.

She said: “One of my friends has a daughter in primary school. She doesn’t know where she might eventually go to college if she doesn’t end up going to Sir John Deane’s – you have to be very intelligent to go there.

“She has talked about whether her family should move somewhere that there is a college. It is devastating that people feel that way.”

The Guardian understands that consultation on the plans is set to go live next Thursday, November 29.

Lane End Developments declined to comment on the proposal.

To take part in the adult education survey, click here.