**Go-ahead for new £35m Waterfront Learning Campus in Barry**
Cardiff and Vale College has been given the green light for a new £35 million waterfront campus in Barry. Here are the key details:
– The Welsh Government’s mutual investment model will primarily fund the project over a 25-year repayment period.
– The first net zero learning campus in Wales will span 60,000 sq ft, accommodating up to 1,000 students, set to open by late 2026.
– The existing campus at Colcot Road will be sold to contribute around 19% towards the new campus.
– This project marks the first usage of the mutual investment model for financing a further education college in Wales.
– Plans also include a new 130,000 sq ft campus near Cardiff Airport focused on advanced technology in an overall £100 million expansion initiative.
**Campus Features:**
– Bouygues UK has been appointed as the main contractor.
– The campus will feature street-level activities like a hair and beauty salon and a student-run bistro/restaurant.
– External amenities will include a garden terrace, classrooms, IT rooms, dining areas, and a courtyard with seating.
– College learners will participate in designing public art integrated into the campus structure.
**Stakeholder Statements:**
– Cardiff and Vale College chief executive, Mike James, expressed delight in the investment’s approval, emphasizing a commitment to premium learning spaces.
– Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader, Lis Burnett, hailed the campus as a significant development benefitting the entire region’s education landscape and economy.
The project aligns with a strategic focus on modern, environmentally sustainable education infrastructure that will positively impact Barry’s educational and vocational training prospects.