Plans to demolish Hartford college in Northwich have been approved.

Education in Northwich has been dealt a ‘body blow’ after plans to demolish the town’s Hartford college campus were approved.

That’s the view of the town’s MP Mike Amesbury. Proposals to close the campus have met fierce opposition from the MP since they were first announced, prompting him to launch a public petition and meet with the Secretary of State as well as the college’s senior leadership, but says his pleas ‘fell on deaf ears’. As a last resort, he also called for the principal’s resignation.

Mike said: “The FE sector has been devastated by government cuts, losing 25% of its funding.

“The government has also liberalised the planning laws which makes it easier for developments like this to get through -  there are consequences to how people vote.

“Despite me calling on the FE Commissioner to intervene, it was clear the government had given this scheme its tacit approval as it simply sat on its hands.”

Mike, who is currently in Parliament, said: “It’s a devastating body blow to education in Northwich, there’s no getting around that fact.

“My postbag has been filled with concerns from parents and students ever since this was first announced.

“I worked as a careers advisor before becoming an MP and I know how important further education is for our young people.

“As well as the academic route, FE offers vocational routes which opens a lot of doors to those who, for example, don’t want to go to university.

“A town’s education picture is a rich tapestry and sadly now part of that has been ripped out in Northwich.”

He also raised concerns about the pressures on infrastructure in the area.

He added: “Hartford is already under significant strain. Pressures on local services, not to mention the basics of just getting around in rush hour, are a clear issue and something my constituents have got real concerns about.

“There’s a pledge by developers to invest in infrastructure with these proposals and I’ll be keeping a close eye to ensure those promises are met.”

He added that he hoped Warrington and Vale Royal college would retain some aspect of education to Northwich.

“There was talk of retaining some adult education courses in Northwich, I’d very much hope that at the very least the college can retain some provision in  the town, it would be the least they can do.”