Plans have been submitted for improved facilities for engineering and construction at Isle of Man College.
Education Minister Tim Crookall hopes to seek approval for the £4.9m development at December’s Tynwald sitting.
The work (13/00663/B) involves refurbishing and extending the former water treatment plant building in Greenfield Road, Douglas, to create a new engineering department and to build a new motor vehicle workshop. There would be a car park, and improved vehicular access.
In addition, (13/00662/B) the construction craft block at the college, in Homefield Road, Douglas, would be refurbished.
Plans include building a covered shelter, a canopy and an oil tank enclosure.
The college would be able to offer new courses in mechanical engineering and electronics, such as mechatronics.
In a planning statement it says since 1980 teaching of engineering and construction crafts has taken place at three locations due to lack of space at the college: ‘The fragmented nature of the overall provision has been detrimental to the teaching, timetabling and financial efficiency of the subjects.
‘The Department of Education also recognises that continuing developments in the fields of engineering, motor engineering and construction require the teaching syllabus and facilities to at least keep pace with these advances in order that educational and employment objectives are met.’
