With the gradual running-down of the Wye campus complete, College appears to have completed its investigation as to its future. The board which examined what to do with the picturesque Kent campus, which contained no academics, was convened after a decision was made to scrap teaching there after local opposition stopped plans for a research park. Undergraduate numbers at Wye were decimated following the transfer of academic teaching to the University of Kent at Canterbury, when students no longer mistakenly believed they would be studying in South Kensington.
The north part of the campus can only be used for academic purposes as part of a convenant attached to the land and 15th century building, however College has decided to let the location - for educational purposes - for at least a ten year term. The tenant would be responsible for the upkeep of the buildings. This morning's Education Guardian contained an advertisement with the words "Educational establishment to let on FRI terms for an indicative period of 10 years or more by agreement".
The future of the Withersdane site, which houses halls of residence and conferencing facilities, is not currently known to Live!, however there appears to be no requirement for it to be used for academic purposes, allowing it to be retained as a conference venue or sold for other purposes.
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