Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education (Hansard, 29 March 1993)

§ Mr. Douglas French (Gloucester)

I have the honour to present a petition signed by more than 7,000 people on behalf of the Oxstalls Action Group in Gloucester and the Park Area Residents Campaign in Cheltenham. The petition sheweth That the imminent sale by the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, for commercial and housing redevelopment, of the Oxtalls campus, its only site in Gloucester, will materially reduce educational services in the City, and their availability for parts of the county. The College's policy of concentrating its students and resources in Cheltenham will be to the great detriment of both towns, especially in the residential neighbourhoods most immediately affected. A unique conservation area in Cheltenham is already experiencing problems for that reason and is threatened by their intensification through building development, while the destruction of a prominent park-like site will be a serious loss for Gloucester. The petition has the support of the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones). The prayer contained in it reads: Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House initiate an immediate and independent appraisal of the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education's financial and educational strategy to determine the justification for the demolition of accessible, sound and purpose-built premises (1958 onwards) with residential accommodation for 240 students, and require the College to reconsider and amend its plans in the light of current government expectations that the new universities and colleges of higher education will deliver courses as near as possible to the increasing numbers of day students in their regions. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.