Emma Reynolds, Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton North East and Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has welcomed the next step in the redevelopment of the Springfield brewery site.The University of Wolverhampton’s plans to transform Springfield brewery into a new University Technical College for the City were approved by Wolverhampton City Council’s planning committee earlier today.

The proposed UTC will provide education for 14-19 year-olds with a special focus on construction skills. It will open in September 2015 on a temporary site before moving into the new facilities at Springfield in September 2016.

Emma said “I am delighted that the plans for the new UTC have been approved by Wolverhampton City Council’s planning committee. With the University’s relocation of its School of Architecture and Built Environment to the same site, the new development will be a huge boost to the local area. It is especially welcome that the historic Springfield site in my constituency will be put back into use.

“The new college and University School will offer construction training and education. Construction is 7% of the British economy and it is vital we train more young people with the skills to work in this industry. This new UTC will give local young people welcome opportunities and it will make Wolverhampton the first port of call for builders wanting to hire new staff. I will work closely with the City Council and the University of Wolverhampton to support the new college.”

June 2015