THE group behind Hereford’s future university has submitted plans to convert a former Bath Street council office.

New Model in Technology and Engineering representatives say they want to use the building for educational purposes and make it one of the university’s key city sites.

Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon, NMiTE’s acting chief executive and provost, said the university was delighted to hold a public drop-in event recently allowing residents to view and discuss the drawings for the site.

“There was the opportunity for Herefordians to discuss architects’ drawings and to view a model of our proposals for one of our first academic buildings,” she said.

“NMiTE is still in negotiation with the landlord of the former job centre in Bath Street and last month submitted a change of use of the building from office to educational use in order to progress negotiations.

“The drop-in event was held as part of the university’s programme of open communication with the local community, which has also included an inaugural Your Uni, Your Say event at the Shirehall on May 23, attended by around 200 Herefordians keen to share ideas about the proposed new university.”

The current plans submitted to Herefordshire Council relate to permission to change the building’s use from office to educational.

Architects working on the scheme said the property had previously been used for educational purposes by Hereford College of Arts.

And Sally Davis, principal planner working for NMiTE, said the building would help accommodate the ‘pioneer’ cohort of students due to start study in the 2019 academic year.

“As one of the first academic spaces for the NMiTE students, it is considered the delivery of this initial ‘pioneer centre’ will help mark the start of the delivety of an exciting new university at the heart of the county,” she said.

Ms Davis said the plans fully complied with up-to-date development plan policies and national guidance and planning permission should be granted.

Residents have until August 16 to comment on the scheme and council planners are expected to consider it by September 11.