Ask’s college plans approved

Ask Developments will build a new 9,200 sq ft facility for Tameside College at St Petersfield in Ashton-under-Lyne after planning consent was granted by the local authority.

The college's new offering will be called Knowledge Mill, an enterprise and training resource, offering business courses for entrepreneurs in the Tameside area.

Designed by Aedas Architects, the building will cover three floors and will provide teaching spaces, staff offices and a small cafe with an outdoor seating area. The café will be open to local businesses and the general public as well as college staff and students.

Julian Stott, development executive at Ask Developments, said: "It's great news for St Petersfield that plans have been granted for Tameside College's Knowledge Mill. As well as working with budding entrepreneurs to provide them with the skills needed to move their business forward, it will also ensure that new and existing companies have the option to stay within Tameside rather relocating elsewhere."

Jenny Worsdale, vice principal at Tameside College, said: "This is excellent news that our exciting development of an innovation and enterprise centre at St Petersfield has passed a major milestone. Over the next few months we are looking forward to watching the centre grow into a vibrant focus for new businesses and established ones looking to enhance the skills of their employees locally."

When completed St Petersfield will 400,000 sq ft of offices, residential, retail and leisure. The 13-acre scheme is part-funded by the North West Development Agency, Homes & Communities Agency and European Regional Development Fund.

Existing office tenants include Pennine Care NHS Trust and Tameside & Glossop PCT.