ALTERNATIVE bids submitted by an action group opposed to the sale of The Hill educational centre in Abergavenny have been rejected, as they were considered to be unrealistic reports ANDY SHERWILL.

Members of Bryn Y Cwm area committee heard that the site had been sold by Coleg Gwent in principle to a major developer for executive styled homes.

As part of the public forum David Haswell told members that in an attempt to seek a mutually satisfactory resolution, and to prevent the whole site being sold off to a developer, CASH, the action group fighting to keep The Hill college for educational use, had submitted a revised bid.

"CASH has proposed an alterative bid for only the core buildings and the walled garden, leaving 75 per cent of the site for disposal to other bidders.

"We saw this as a compromise in which the differing objectives of Coleg Gwent and the community could be met. CASH's offer for this proposal at the Governors' meeting on July 17 was refused," said Mr Haswell

Councillor Paul Jordan said he was at an earlier meeting when this decision was announced and that he had appealed to Coleg Gwent to continue discussions.

"I tried to make the directors realise that this was a good compromise allowing each party to achieve their aims.

"I was under the impression that CASH would be given an additional 28 days, however it appears that Coleg Gwent has already made up its mind and gone for best value, but that is not what's best for the community.

"I don't think this is going to be the end of the matter. Additionally I feel that the developer will have a problem in obtaining planning permission as this is a large site and is not on the authority's Unitary Development Plan or the forthcoming Local Development Plan as a site for housing allocation."

Councillor Simon Howarth pointed out, "The only way the developer can obtain planning permission as the site is outside the UDP/LDP boundaries is for it to be classed as affordable housing. But as we have been told it's aimed at the other end of the housing spectrum this is not going to be the scenario."

Councillor Roger Harris said, "I think the developers are naive in thinking they will get planning permission to start building by spring next year. I think they will have an uphill battle and ultimately it will be hellishly difficult to obtain planning permission.

"If Coleg Gwent are going to remain pig-headed about this then they are in for a tough ride."

Councillor Doug Edwards pointed out that if the college management had run the centre properly in the past, they would not be in this position now.

"It's been poorly run at a loss since they were given the property. There has been no incentive to turn it into a viable profit making centre. If you don't advertise its availability then it's never going to work.

"I feel it was a mistake by Monmouthshire County Council to lift the educational covenant from the building. It's so important for The Hill to be retained as visiting students boost the economy in Abergavenny and for it not just to be sold to boost the coffers of Coleg Gwent.

"With the right investment and marketing The Hill could still be an excellent residential college and conference centre."

Councillor Howarth added, "It seems that the developer is keen to start building by spring 2013, but I would like to know if they have had any communication with Monmouthshire planners. Surely if they've got a date in mind that is only nine months away they must be confident of getting planning permission because they must have opened up a dialogue with the planning department."

A spokesman for the action group said after the meeting, "CASH has registered a Community Interest Company to carry forward its vision of high quality life-long learning courses at The Hill.

"This would include day courses for local people, enabling personal and professional development, as well as residential courses open to all.

"A business plan has been developed with the backing of education and business professionals, and local and national organisations have pledged support for this development, as well as David Davies MP, Nick Ramsay AM, and senior executives of Monmouthshire County Council.

"Unfortunately, this development was not acceptable to Coleg Gwent.

"The stated objective of Coleg Gwent is to sell off the site so that the money gained can be used to provide improved facilities 'in other communities'.  

"CASH members will continue to oppose the selling off of The Hill and to campaign for its vision of high quality education within Abergavenny in the unique setting of The Hill." 

In a statement released to the Chronicle, Coleg Gwent said, "In line with its staged disposal strategy, the college has considered the various bids received in stage two of the process and subsequently invited two organisations to become preferred partners for the disposal project.

"The College has continued to talk to and meet with CASH and was happy to receive two revised bids, outside of the original deadline.

"In line with its desire to give every opportunity for The Hill to be used for community use, the College has considered the revised bids from a local bidder sympathetic to CASH's preferences.

"It has decided that, as the revised bids are hugely below the current bids from its preferred partners, there is no point in further discussions."

The principal / chief executive of Coleg Gwent, Jim Bennett added, "We have been following the staged procedure for the disposal of The Hill in Abergavenny very carefully and we had identified two potential partners.

"I have always made it clear that we were open to all suggestions for the disposal of The Hill and our disposal strategy encouraged a wide range of options to be submitted.

"We have kept a dialogue open with CASH in good faith and listened to what they had to say and we would have liked to have embarked on a sensible venture with them.

"However their bids are so far below what we currently have been offered that they are not bids I could recommend to our Corporation. It is the responsibility of the College to secure as beneficial a deal as possible so that the proceeds can be re-invested into our other main campuses for the benefit of all of our learners and the communities there."