First picture of Dudley College's new plans
This is the first image of what Dudley College's new sixth form and higher education centre could look like if revised plans are given the go-ahead.
This is the first image of what Dudley College's new sixth form and higher education centre could look like if revised plans are given the go-ahead.
Architects at the college have been working on revised plans for the development, off Priory Road, which forms part of a proposed £30million university-style campus.
The college had hoped to demolish Kudos House, a 19th century purpose-built doctors surgery, to make way for the scheme but it was this week awarded Grade II listed status, protecting it from demolition.
It will now be forced to spend more than £1million incorporating the building into the designs. Officials are not looking into ways of raising funds.
A future use for the building has not yet been decided but it could become a tutorial centre for higher education students, an incubation centre for micro businesses or house college offices, officials said.
The development — called Dudley Sixth and Dudley Higher — will cater for more than 600 students and bosses hope building work will start next summer. It is expected open in September 2012.
Principal Lowell Williams said: "We are very pleased to be releasing these new plans today. When we were informed of the possible 'spot listing' of Kudos House, we knew we had to prepare an alternative plan or else the whole of our project could have been in jeopardy.
"Our developments are absolutely integral to the future regeneration of Dudley town centre.
"We think our new design still provides a fabulous resource for the town and will greatly enhance the educational facilities for young people and adults.
"The downside for the college is that the new scheme is significantly more expensive, over £1million more, and the burden of the cost of retaining and renovating Kudos House falls solely to the college."
The college plans to submit a planning application for the scheme after Christmas.
English Heritage spokeswoman Renee Fok said the building had "architectural and historic special interest as a remarkably complete and rare early example of a purpose-built doctor's house in a restrained classical style."
