Grimsby Institute hopes to build a new animal care teaching centre and veterinary practice.

The college has lodged plans for the new circular building on its main campus in Laceby Road. It would provide college teaching facilities and space for an independent vets with overnight accommodation.

It would replace similar facilities at the Nunsthorpe Campus. A Blue Cross cattery would also be moved from Nunsthorpe to the new site.

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The institute has been planning the move to the main campus since 2017. The project was initially planned for a site parallel to the college's multi-use sports pitches, but this proved problematic and it was paused for a re-think.

Now, the college has settled on building at the western end of the site, on part of a temporary car park built in 2009. The car park, which planning documents state is underutilised, would be adapted to provide a route around the new building. There would also be a courtyard area, outside enclosures, aviary and a dog-walking space.

"The Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, which is part of TEC Partnership, has submitted plans to create a fantastic new facility for our animal care learners," said a TEC Partnership spokesperson.

"The purpose of the facility will be for the delivery of practical learning and will support the development in particular of our higher education offer associated with animal care."

If the facility is approved, a range of animals can be expected to be housed there, not just dogs and cats. Skunks, meerkats, rabbits and primates will feature, documents suggest. Marmosets are currently at the Nunsthorpe site.

Farrell and Clark Architects state of the new building: "With ever increasing energy and running costs, the new facility will look to be as sustainable as possible, utilising high thermal insulation, natural lighting and ventilation and where possible, renewable and energy saving technologies."

The move would also allow consolidation of students and teachers at the main campus. Meanwhile, the existing Nunsthorpe Campus animal accommodation would be reused or sold.

A public consultation was held in April after 200 flyers were given out to local residents. Only two households attended, though one represented a group of residents who favoured the scheme.

If approved, the aim is for the new building to be complete by next summer.

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