An application has been submitted for the Elliott Hudson College to expand into a nearby office building, doubling the amount of pupils it can take in.
The application is for a change of use for the building from an office building, to a state-funded school building. The building is currently occupied by Capita and forms part of the White Rose Office Park.
It is also right next to the school. According to the application, Capita is reducing the number of workers at the office from 3,300 to 2,200, providing room for the school to move in.
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The application says: "Internal improvements are required to link the existing College building to the Capita building, as well as the creation of a new primary entrance lobby and informal working/break out areas." They also plan to move the Capita entrance further along to the east while the college will continue to use its current entrance.
Pupil numbers are also set to increase from 1,070 pupils to 1,500 pupils. This is an increase of around 430 students over the next three years.
The application also says the transport situation in the area makes it ideal for more pupils. They wrote: "The White Rose Rail Station, to the west, is currently under construction and will provide improved connectivity for local people and businesses to Leeds City Centre, as well as Dewsbury and Huddersfield.
"The station will improve accessibility to the WROP, serving employment, education, retail sections and existing residential communities. The Site is accessible by a variety of transport modes for students, employees and visitors.
"Significant, well-lit pedestrian infrastructure already exists in the surrounding area and the Site is close to numerous cycle routes that are already in place which makes cycling an attractive option for staff and students. The White Rose Shopping Centre bus-station is within 150m of the Site and provides frequent services to a wide-range of destinations in West Yorkshire."
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