THE plans to build a £5m new girls' boarding house at Marlborough College was met with renewed optimism following a second public exhibition last week.

Once again, members of the public were given the opportunity to see the latest, detailed plans on Dancy House at the school's Marlburian Centre on November 8.

As part of the consultation, organised by architects Allies and Morrison and Marlborough College, a team was on hand to answer any questions regarding the design of the new boarding house, which will sit in College Fields, on the north side of the A4 in parallel to four other boarding houses belonging to the college.

Director of corporate resources for the College, Peter Bryan, said: “We were greatly encouraged by the feedback we received at the exhibition. Almost 80 people came to view the latest plans for Dancy House, which evolved following the feedback received at the first exhibition held last month.

"There were a number of residents who left the exhibition yesterday, reassured that the College had taken on concerns raised a the first exhibition.

"The design of the house reflects a number of Marlborough’s local features, which was welcomed by the local community.

"We are now progressing with the plans and are aiming to submit a planning application to Wiltshire Council towards the end of November.”

It is set to open in 2018 and will accommodate for 70 girls and create around 25 new jobs.

This will be the college’s sixteenth boarding house and will bring the total number of students to approximately 990, which will help to manage the demand for places.