Doncaster in negotiations for new college tenant

Doncaster council has decided to move ahead with lease negotiations for the former National College for Advanced Transport & Infrastructure. The building is currently costing the council around £770,000 per year. The council’s cabinet decision, made earlier this week, is subject to a call-in for scrutiny, which ends on 27 August. After that, the council hopes to sign a 25-year lease with a new education provider, targeting an income from the deal of £150,000 for its 2024/25 budget, increasing to £300,000 in 2025/26. The new provider cannot be named as negotiations are ongoing, but this week’s decision gives the council authority to finalise negotiations and progress the necessary requirements to complete a lease. Doncaster mayor Ros Jones, said: “It is really encouraging news that this iconic building can continue as an educational centre in Doncaster. The building itself offers such an exciting opportunity for a new education provider to help support our ambitions for lifelong learning and skills.” The college ceased operations and surrendered the lease in July last year due to viability issues. The building has limited uses and commercial opportunities as a covenant with the Department for Education is in place until late January 2043 which requires a significant majority of the building to be used for post-16 education and/or the development of training and skills. Check out lettings in Doncaster >> Photo © City of Doncaster Council