Ely College given permission to refurbish ‘unsafe’ building that has asbestos in it

Ely College has been given permission to upgrade an “unsafe” building which has been partially closed off to students.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has given permission for Needham Tower block to be refurbished and converted into a “state-of-the-art” sixth form centre, with the exterior reclad.

The school, in Downham Road, is part of the Meridian Trust group of academies.

In its application, the trust said current sixth-form provision was “not suitable” and that a new facility was needed. It has only been using the ground and first floor of the four-storey building, due to the upper floors being deemed “unsafe”. The block is in a “poor state of repair” and has asbestos within it, said the trust, which has funding for new post-16 education facilities.

The aim is for the building to achieve net zero, with solar panels on the roof and an air source heat pump installed.

A council planning officer’s report said: “It is considered that the proposals would be a significant enhancement to the existing tower and surrounding area.

“It will much improve the look of the existing town and the landscaping works will assist in improving the tower’s surroundings.”