Work set to start on Northumberland College campus

Planning permission has been submitted by the Department of Education (DfE) to build an ambitious and transformational college campus for Northumberland College.

The new campus will provide state-of-the-art academic and technical facilities aligned to industry and regional skills priorities, bringing significant economic and education benefits for the county of Northumberland and the wider region.

The campus, on a 5.7-acre site on the eastern edge of Wansbeck Business Park in Ashington, Northumberland, will be one of a new generation of government-led educational buildings developed by the DfE with advanced concepts, design standards, net zero and sustainability at the heart of its build and operation.

Plans for the hourglass-shaped site include three buildings incorporating structural designs to enhance sustainability, optimise renewable technologies, meet the challenges of climate change, connect with nature and are designed for health, wellbeing and the environment.

Innovating in its design, the new college will also house a range of industry-standard facilities. A dedicated Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering and Construction Skills Centre will be a centre of excellence in electrical, mechanical, robotics and automation, automotive, green transport, construction, housing, retrofit and wider renewable technologies.

A further building will include academic and technical facilities with a curriculum spanning hospital, health, education and childcare, business, tourism, digital and employability. The campus will also incorporate a bespoke new centre for young people with special educational needs and disability.

Wider facilities will include a dedicated centre with catering and dining facilities, a learning and skills centre, a lecture theatre, careers and welfare services, specialist labs, workshops and immersive learning environments.

Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed under the Department for Education Construction Framework as design & build contractor with Bond Bryan providing architectural services.