West Suffolk Council Considers Sale of Anglian Lane Property for College Expansion
The council's Cabinet will review a proposal to sell the former Discount Warehouse Superstore site to Eastern Education Group to support West Suffolk College's growth.
By Rebecca Flint
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of a former retail property with sale signs.
West Suffolk Council's Cabinet is set to consider the sale of the former Discount Warehouse Superstore site on Anglian Lane, Bury St Edmunds, to Eastern Education Group on Tuesday 3 November, aiming to support West Suffolk College's expansion.
The council and West Suffolk College, part of the Eastern Education Group, have been discussing the potential sale of the property. This move is intended to aid the college in expanding its construction skills and education offerings. The site, which neighbours the college's current Built Environment Campus, presents opportunities to enhance student experience, improve operational efficiencies, and accommodate future growth.
The proposal aligns with the council’s Strategic Priority for Sustainable Growth, focusing on skills development and employment within the construction sector. Proceeds from the sale are earmarked to support other council services and community projects.
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"This presents a great opportunity to support West Suffolk College in expanding its teaching provision on a single site and delivers on the council’s priority for sustainable growth. The proposal will help residents develop their skills and access new opportunities, while equipping local businesses with the skilled workforce they need."
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"We can confirm that we have expressed an interest in purchasing the Anglian Lane site. Its location, right next to our construction focussed, Built Environment Campus, makes it a natural fit as we look to develop the work of Eastern Education Group and West Suffolk College. We value our strong partnership with West Suffolk Council and look forward to the outcome of Cabinet’s discussions. We will share more about our plans in due course."
The Anglian Lane site was originally purchased by the former St Edmundsbury Borough Council in 2018 as part of its investment strategy. Following the cancellation of the Western Way project, the council retained the property, allocating funds for refurbishment. Despite interest from prospective tenants, no final agreement was reached, leading the council to review future options in early 2026. The site has since been used for operational storage, including supporting the recent Better Recycling project and providing storage for the Theatre Royal.
Based on information from the official source: West Suffolk Council (27/10/2026)
