Yeovil College reveals plans for £330,000 specialist student accomodation

Yeovil College has been granted £330,000 to develop an Independent Living Skills centre for those with specialist needs.

The centre, due to be open in 2013, will enable students to develop personal skills to live independently and leading to potential employability skills.  

Planning permission was approved in December after the £330,000 grant from Dorset County Council as part of a national Government pledge to support all students through training and work.

Councillor Toni Coombs, Dorset County Council's Children's Services chief, said "We are delighted that Yeovil College has been chosen to develop an extended Centre for Independent Living on their campus in Yeovil.  

"The new facility will help to ensure that more students with additional needs across Dorset and Somerset will be able to benefit from the specialist facilities that the centre will bring."

Other plans are also underway at Yeovil College as they have pledged to improve facilities for all students across the campus.

These include the brand new A level Academy and the redevelopment of the Nexus Mall incorporating new Hair and Beauty Salons, Da Vinci Restaurant and student café/shop in 2011/2012.

Jayne Lewis, Vice Principal for Yeovil College said: "We are absolutely thrilled that we have been able to secure funding through the Education Funding Agency (EFA) with the support of Dorset County Council and can progress with the centre.   

"This will mean that we will be able to improve and extend our facilities for both our current and prospective students."

"The new centre will be central to our campus and will help our students to take a more active role in the college community.  "

She added: "We will be working hard to offer additional support and minimise any disruption to our existing students during the building works."

The new centre will be ready for new students for September 2013.