The adult college at the Clifden Centre in Twickenham is to be renovated and much of the existing structure of outbuildings rebuilt in an ambitious plan which will raise the Twickenham site to the same standard as the Parkshot site in Richmond.

The decision puts an end to the prolonged speculation that the tertiary college and adult college would be redeveloped on the same site - a proposal that emerged from Richmond Council's Crane Valley Masterplan, rejected by the UDP planning inspector and the colleges.

Dr Vincent Cable, who released the news, said: "The adult college is a very popular and valued local institution and residents will, I am sure, be pleased that the building will soon match the quality of the work that goes on inside."

Dr Cable added that he had had protests from residents at the closure of the college's health gym where 60 users will now have to use private gyms:

"The club does not have large membership but is valued by some elderly and disabled residents who cannot afford the high fees of the commercial health clubs. I am told however that the college needs the space, at least until the new buildings are constructed."

Friday, December 17, 2004

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