April 25, 2013 10.35 am This story is over 130 months old

Lincoln University Technical College designs unveiled

Bespoke building: Proposed designs for the first Lincoln University Technical College behind the Greestones Centre on Lindum Road have been unveiled.

Proposed designs for the first Lincoln University Technical College (UTC) behind the Greestones Centre on Lindum Road have been unveiled.

The £7.5 million investment will see the construction of a bespoke building at the rear of the Grade II listed Greestone Centre, and the Watkins Building on site will be reconditioned as well.

The site development is fully funded by the Government’s Education Funding Agency, while the college will be developed and supported by Lincoln College, the University of Lincoln and Siemens Lincoln.

The University of Lincoln currently uses the site as part of their art school but are scheduled to vacate the property from June 2013.

Design: John Roberts Architects

Design: John Roberts Architects

Simon Plummer, Director of Projects and Partnerships at Lincoln College, said: “Having looked at a considerable number of alternative sites, Lincoln UTC has always considered the Greestone Centre to be an ideal location due to its close proximity to its sponsors as well as arterial transport links.

“We are therefore delighted that the acquisition of the site continues to positively progress and that the Lincoln UTC Trust has the backing of the Education Funding Agency to finalise this design and seek formal planning consent,” he added.

Subject to approval, construction would start from August 2013 and take some 50 weeks prior to formal handover to the Lincoln UTC Trust in August 2014.

Design: John Roberts Architects

Design: John Roberts Architects

Lincoln UTC will be open to students from September 2014 when it will greet some 260 students in years 10 and 12.

The student population should then incrementally increase until it operates at a full capacity of 640 students from September 2017.

Lincoln UTC will aim to provide an additional educational choice to the young people in the area, with a curriculum influenced by the employers and businesses of the region.

Paul Birt, HR Director at Siemens in Lincoln, said: “The Lincoln UTC will help us develop the next generation of engineers for businesses across the county as well as further afield. UTCs will compliment existing provision and offer students a new vocational path and meet the requirements of employers.”