Dead sails in the sunset?

The news of a setback for the Boston College rebuilding plans has really come as no surprise.
The first plan to dump a new building inappropriately in the heart of the proposed West Street redevelopment fell through the net after those involved seemed to agree that it was not really the right place - and now there are problems with the West Street plans themselves with the loss of the "anchor" store that would have been used by Debenhams.
Undaunted, the college went on to announce last year an ambitious £79 million campus and asked the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for much of the cash.
But now a funding crisis at the LSC has led to the chief executive resigning and decisions on a number of projects being put on hold.
Boston College is just one of 144 colleges directly affected by the delays in funding decisions about building projects and a spokesman for the college said they were confident that the situation will be resolved shortly.
"We have had a wealth of positive feedback concerning our plans, not only from the public but also the funders, who all know what a central role Boston College plays in supporting Lincolnshire people.
"We are currently liaising with all the relevant parties involved and remain positive of a successful outcome that will benefit students, local businesses and the wider community."
Unfortunately, we're slightly less relaxed.
The big problem with the LSC crisis has left many colleges without buildings at all, as they have already demolished out of date premises on the promise of cash.
Others have half demolished premises, and are in a similar boat.
So how far up the list Boston's plans may be after the dust quite literally clears is anyone's guess ... but we suspect that it will not be a very high priority.
Architects said the plans were influenced by the town's nautical heritage, with "sail" and "wave" themes included in the design.
Perhaps now the project will "wave" goodbye and "sail" off into the sunset.
It would not surprise us.
Nor, having glimpsed the sketches of how the new college might look like, would it really disappoint us.

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