THESE photos show the work that has begun to take place in tearing down Hartford's college campus.

The fate of the former Mid Cheshire College site, which became Warrington and Vale Royal College in 2017, was sealed in March as Cheshire West and Chester Council approved plans to knock it down for 108 homes.

Northwich Guardian:

It brought to an end an 16-month battle to prevent the site's clearance, including the £7.5 million sport and arts block, which was only opened in 2012.

Residents, councillors and Mike Amesbury MP all spoke out against the plans following their announcement in November 2018.

Northwich Guardian:

At the time, the Labour MP for Weaver Vale said: "It’s scandalous that this money was invested in good faith to further the educational life chances of our young people and now it all faces being torn down.

"It’s deeply cynical and frankly outrageous.”

Northwich Guardian:

During the planning meeting where the scheme was voted through, Conservative Cllr Patricia Parkes insisted Hartford was already 'suffering from overdevelopment' and that the closure of the campus had been a 'a huge loss to Northwich'.

But Labour Cllr Sam Naylor, who sits on the college's board, insisted the cash was needed to safeguard its provision in Winsford and that the Hartford site had 'absolutely zero chance of once again opening its doors as a college'.

Northwich Guardian:

Now, CWAC councillors are keen to bring some replacement college facilities to the town, with Barons Quay having previously been suggested as a new home for further education.

Demolition workers have been on the Hartford site in the past few weeks, and further work is due to take place this autumn.

Northwich Guardian:

Meanwhile, a further proposal to build an additional 20 homes on the site has since been lodged by Lane End Developments.

Search '20/01546/FUL' to view those plans on CWAC's planning website.