Now the plot thickens or is it just me
No, it's just you, Miss M. The plot isn't thickening, because there isn't a plot. There's just a college going about its lawful business doing its best to improve its facilities, at a challenging time when there is no government capital for college estates.
They haven't handled everything as well as they might have done, but then, which of us is perfect? In particular, they could, with hindsight, have communicated their plans more clearly and promptly to the people of Marple. But apart from that, they seem to be doing what they can to make sure that in future our kids and grandkids have decent facilities to study in. That's all.