SPELLER METCALFE ON SITE WITH THE NATIONAL STAR COLLEGE

The project will replace the existing, outdated accommodation at Overton House.  There will be five buildings on the site in Pittville containing a variety of specialist accommodation for 25 young people with disabilities.

David Ellis, chief executive of National Star, said: “We are in great need for appropriate accommodation that can support our learners and people with disabilities. Pittville will help us deliver this on an ideal site, which is close to the town centre and offers such a quality of environment.”

Speller Metcalfe is currently on site building the five individual accommodation blocks, which will be mainly single-storey. One of the blocks will also be used as a learning and activity space and have been designed by coombes:everitt architects in Cheltenham.

“Having worked alongside National Star on previous projects, we know first-hand what a fantastic addition this will be not only in terms of the provision of accommodation, but more importantly encouraging and helping young people with disabilities to live independently and become a part of their local community,” said Andy Metcalfe, Joint Managing Director.

Andy also explained how Speller Metcalfe and the project team is working hard to minimise impact locally: “On site we are in a largely residential area, and as well as working to protect and preserve the existing ecology we are undertaking additional planting and landscaping to ensure the buildings blend in as much as possible with the local surroundings and minimise noise impact.”

Mr Ellis said: “We’ve been busy raising the funds to make the vision for this project a reality and we were fortunate to also gain the backing of some funding from the Education Funding Agency – but we’ve still some way to go. With Speller Metcalfe now well under way, we hope that the community will continue to give its support to the work and future facilities of National Star.”
 

The project is due to complete in March 2015.