Gloucestershire County Council leader Cllr Mark Hawthorne has made a fact-finding visit to a special college which fears it is under threat from an eco-business park.

Cllr Hawthorne took the opportunity to speak to staff and students at William Morris College which provides essential support for young people with learning difficulties.

Last week Dale Vince, boss of green energy provider Ecotricity, announced he has revised his scheme to build a football stadium and eco-business park at Eastington near the M5 junction.

Citing highways delays, he has moved the proposed new stadium from south of the A419 road to north of the highway and shelved the business park plan-at least for the time being.

But the decision may provide cold comfort for William Morris College at Eastington whose premises are just a few feet from Ecotricity's southern site. For many believe that eventually, under the "flipped" scheme, the business park will be built in a later, second phase causing major disruption to the life of the college and its vulnerable students.

Local people at Eastington say there are still too many questions unanswered, including what will happen to the southern site and the effect a future business park would have on the rural nature of the area.

Cllr Hawthorne has strongly rejected claims by Mr Vince that county council highways has been dragging its feet over his plans. Following Mr Vince's attack on the county council Cllr Hawthorne said it was a complicated application and serious reservations had been raised about the impact on the local transport network.

Following his recent visit to William Morris College Cllr Hawthorne said: "I felt it was important to see for myself what effect the proposed development might have on the college.

"I found it inspiring to meet the staff and students and see the important work they are involved in."

Cllr Hawthorne was given a tour by William Morris College financial director Russell Davey and college director John Nissler. They showed him that the College is just a few feet from the boundary of Ecotricity's southern site.

The college provides essential learning and independence skills for young people with learning difficulties. If the business park does eventually get built the disruption to the college would be massive and effectively shatter what is an oasis of calm for the students who need tranquillity and minimal disruption.

The students have major conditions, including severe autism and associated difficulties like epilepsy and Downs syndrome. All of these make them extremely vulnerable, especially to any disruption.

Mr Nissler said: "We are very grateful to Cllr Hawthorne for sparing the time to visit us and see why we are so concerned about the devastating effects a future eco-park would have on William Morris College and especially the students."

Picture caption: (left to right) William Morris College finance director Russell Davey, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, College director John Nissler and district councillor Stephen Davies.