South Yorkshire college sets sights on £3m expansion

BOSSES at Doncaster Deaf Trust are hoping to move ahead with scaled-down plans to expand their site and create new jobs.

Proposals had been draw-up for a £17.5 million development at the Leger Way site – but now a smaller scheme has been produced after the economic downturn made it difficult to raise the cash.

The scheme will see a social enterprise centre built which would offer vocational training for its students and for other disabled youngsters.

Talks are still going on to try to finalise the details.

Alan Robinson, college principal, said: “We have a major project on at the moment and, if all goes well, we are hoping to be able to make an announcement soon.

“It has been scaled back from the original plan and is based around working with employers and having work placements. We are now looking at a £3.2 million scheme.

“It is something that could benefit Doncaster in the future. It will be good for the students and for the people engaged in the training.”

He estimated the scheme would create about 40 office-based jobs in total, for students and people working at the centre.

The trust is also looking at creating facilities for young people with autism as part of its plans.

Proposals to develop the site’s role follow a glowing report on Doncaster College for the Deaf’s social care operations from Ofsted last week, with rated the college as ‘excellent’, an improvement of its previous ‘good’ rating.