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Belfast Met: Report critical of sale of unused buildings | Belfast Met: Report critical of sale of unused buildings |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A decision to sell two buildings belonging to a further education college ended up costing the public purse £20m, a report has found. | A decision to sell two buildings belonging to a further education college ended up costing the public purse £20m, a report has found. |
The Audit Office report looked at the construction of a new building for Belfast Metropolitan College in Titanic Quarter. | The Audit Office report looked at the construction of a new building for Belfast Metropolitan College in Titanic Quarter. |
It examined the cost of replacing two unused buildings in Brunswick Street and College Square East. | |
They were originally to have been used as part payment for the new project. | They were originally to have been used as part payment for the new project. |
However, Belfast Metropolitan College thought it could get more money by selling them on the open market. | However, Belfast Metropolitan College thought it could get more money by selling them on the open market. |
But the property market slumped, and the £20m it thought it would get had to be provided by the public purse. | But the property market slumped, and the £20m it thought it would get had to be provided by the public purse. |
The old campuses are now vacant and unsold but caretaking, maintenance and planning applications have, so far, cost more than £1m. | The old campuses are now vacant and unsold but caretaking, maintenance and planning applications have, so far, cost more than £1m. |
'Value for money' | 'Value for money' |
The auditor general said it was not possible to say whether the whole project has been value for money, while the two buildings remained unsold. | The auditor general said it was not possible to say whether the whole project has been value for money, while the two buildings remained unsold. |
The audit office said there were constant changes to the design and numerous failures to meet project milestones. | The audit office said there were constant changes to the design and numerous failures to meet project milestones. |
Negotiations for the new college, which should have been completed in a year, took two and a half years. | Negotiations for the new college, which should have been completed in a year, took two and a half years. |
There was criticism of poor planning and the report said a number of factors were not taken into account, such as how many students were expected and what facilities would be needed. | There was criticism of poor planning and the report said a number of factors were not taken into account, such as how many students were expected and what facilities would be needed. |
The vital IT facilities were requested only four months before the new college opened. | The vital IT facilities were requested only four months before the new college opened. |
An underground car park was built at the college but as a separate project, after the builder's funders said they believed it to be a risk and would not pay for it. | An underground car park was built at the college but as a separate project, after the builder's funders said they believed it to be a risk and would not pay for it. |
The Department for Employment and Learning paid another £5m into the scheme to cover it. | The Department for Employment and Learning paid another £5m into the scheme to cover it. |
Local planning regulations specified parking had to be provided but it had not been included in the original specifications. | Local planning regulations specified parking had to be provided but it had not been included in the original specifications. |
However, there is a discrepancy in the duration of the contracts. | However, there is a discrepancy in the duration of the contracts. |
The main college building is mortgaged to the developer for 25 years, yet the car park will not be handed over for 40 years. | The main college building is mortgaged to the developer for 25 years, yet the car park will not be handed over for 40 years. |
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