Plans for Dyson college scrapped

My Dyson says he is determined to help young people in design education

James Dyson says he has abandoned his attempt to build a multi-million pound school of design in Bath.

The vacuum cleaner tycoon wanted to place the college at the old Stothert and Pitt crane plant site.

The 61-year-old had pledged �12.5m towards the project which was to be jointly funded by the government.

Sir James said the government had now rejected his latest funding proposal. "We have no choice but to abandon the plans for the school," he added.

'Flood fears'

The school, which would have pioneered new ways of teaching design and engineering, had been hampered by four years of planning and funding battles.

It faced opposition from the Environment Agency over flooding fears for the site near the River Avon which prompted local government minister Baroness Andrews to call in a planning inquiry.

On Tuesday he said the decision to reject his funding proposal was "the final nail in the coffin for the project."

"We deeply regret having to give up on the opportunity to provide an exciting education for our young people."

But Mr Dyson said he was still determined to help young people in design education.

He said: "We now intend to find another way to nurture young engineers - this time on our own terms."

Proposals for the school focused on providing 14 to 19-year-olds with opportunities to do hands-on engineering projects with industry experts.

Sir James was keen to have the site in Bath because it is the city where he began his engineering career with manufacturer Rotork.

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