First Net Zero Carbon campuses in Wales approved

On behalf of the Welsh Education Partnership (WEPCo) and Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC), Lichfields is delighted to have obtained planning permission for two new further education college campuses. The first at Barry Waterfront and the second within the Cardiff Airport and Gateway Development Zone. Both projects were recently handed over to Bouygues UK for delivery with the aim of the campuses opening in summer 2027.  

The schemes are designed by architects Sheppard Robson and will be the first Net Zero Carbon further education campuses in Wales.

  

The Barry Waterfront campus will provide circa 6,000 sqm (gross internal) of floorspace accommodating departments such as Hospitality, Hair and Beauty, Business and IT, Independent Living Skills and Art and Design. The campus is designed to support a wide range of educational programs and foster strong links with both public and commercial sectors. With facilities such as a restaurant, hair salon, beauty therapy services, and a café, the campus aims to become a thriving community hub for Barry. These spaces will not only enhance learning but also create opportunities for local engagement, making the campus an integral part of the community.

The Advanced Technology Centre, strategically located within the Cardiff Airport and the Gateway Development Zone, is set to become a flagship project, building synergies with existing businesses and fostering innovation and investment in the area. The state-of-the-art facility will offer 13,000 sqm of floorspace, designed to support industries such as advanced engineering, construction, and motor vehicle technology. It will also include a 150-seat lecture theatre, a learning and skills centre, recreational spaces, a four court multi-purpose sports hall, and a café/reception area, providing the wider region with enhanced learning and development opportunities.

Both projects have utilised the innovative Mutual Investment Model (MIM) developed by the Welsh Government to finance major capital projects. These projects will be delivered and maintained under this model for a 25-year term.