Devon college seeks new animal care centre

Building will be more comfortable for students and give additional space to animals.

Petroc College wants to demolish some of its dilapidated buildings and construct a new animal care centre at its main Barnstaple Campus.

The college says the build would be more comfortable for students and provide better space for the animals.

Animal care courses are currently held in various mobile classrooms and timber storage sheds, known as T Block, said agents for the applicants Woodward Smith Architects.

“The proposal is to remove current units and re-configure them into one net zero unit building at 340 square metres,” they said.

“The current accommodation only allows the housing of a limited number of small mammals due to the configuration which causes stress to these creatures.

“Designing and constructing a purpose built centre will allow improved flow for the student and ensure adequate space for the animals.”

More students could also be recruited as a result of the new building, they said.

The single level building will be a storey and a half high to provide larger ceilings and more light and be in keeping with the rest of the buildings on the campus with blue cladding and grey windows.

Staff and students will work in the existing units until the new one was complete on the hardstanding area next to them. The units would then be demolished and the area turned into green space.

The project is part of a bid through the Department of Education for capital funding.

North Devon Council will consider the proposal at a later date.