New education and training block for city’s sixth form students

A new teaching block that will create a digital and creative media centre for Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (Bhasvic) in Brighton was unanimously approved by Brighton & Hove’s planning committee on 6 June.

The four-storey building will provide 16-19 year olds attending Bhasvic with 21^st century teaching provision and replace a number of temporary classrooms. The application includes the creation of outside performance spaces.

Bhasvic provides education and training for 2,700 students and the new facilities will provide much needed specialist classrooms for the teaching of performing arts, media and science.

Councillor Julie Cattell, chair of the planning committee, said: “Bhasvic’s existing building is much loved, with its redbrick design and enamelled shields of Brighton. The proposed contemporary building will complement it well and the committee was impressed with the quality of the design.”

The existing sixth form is a distinct local land mark and is listed as a building of local interest. The proposed new teaching block with its copper detailing is of high quality and will have a positive impact on the Old Shoreham Road street scene.

The application will also bring £60,300 contribution towards off-site highway improvements, £28,230 towards the local employment scheme which will make sure local people are employed during construction, and £19,500 for an artistic element to be incorporated into the scheme.