Yeovil College announces new £60m campus redevelopment project
Yeovil College has announced a new £60m campus redevelopment project. The investment, which will be funded by the Department for Education (DfE), will see the creation of a modern teaching centre, a sports centre and a technical construction centre.
The college was named as one of sixteen across the UK to gain a share of the £1.5bn Further Education Capital Transformation Fund in November 2020. It has since been granted planning permission by Somerset County Council for the ambitious development.
The project, which includes BAM as the main contractor, will see the demolition of the older Kingston Building, Bridge Block and Sports Hall. They will be replaced by three modern buildings, increasing the Gross Internal Area (GIA) of the campus from 18,000 m2 to 21,687m2.
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Flagship Teaching Centre
The new modern teaching centre has been described as the "academic heart" of the new campus. The existing Kingston and Bridge Building will be replaced by a new 'L-shaped' structure exceeding 10,000m² in size.
The centre will include 100 state-of-the-art classrooms, inviting social and study spaces, and cutting-edge technology.
Sports Centre
The new sports centre will be equipped with advanced training equipment, a cutting-edge gym and versatile fields and pitches. It has been dubbed "one of the most stunning and sophisticated college sports centres in the region".
Technical Construction Centre
The construction centre will be the beacon of vocational training. It will be 1,700m² in size and include workshops housing the latest technology and machine.
It hopes to prepare students for successful careers in construction, fire and security and electrical. The new centre will compliment the Construction Skills Centre, which was opened in January 2024 on the Yeovil College site.
'Transformational for our town'
Mark Bolton, CEO & Principal, said: “The investment and campus transition that will now begin and conclude over the next three years is a once in a lifetime opportunity and can be transformational for our town. It will accelerate and widen the impact of our work, in our mission to create life-changing opportunities.
“This is the last and largest piece of our campus renewal jigsaw, the culmination of years of hard work following the refurbishment and refit of almost every other building and space at our Yeovil site.”
He added: "We anticipate that the increased numbers of full and part time learners and apprentices will continue, further increasing our ability to provide life-changing opportunities and careers for our learners.
“From our work with our business community, we know that the number of degree apprentices and other university-level students will continue to grow strongly, supporting local industry to succeed with amazing people, providing the higher skills and knowledge that underpin both success and prosperity.”
Tim Chell, Regional Director at BAM, said: " We’re proud to support Yeovil College and the Department for Education on this transformative project, which will benefit both current and future learners. Over the next four years, we’ll generate more than £15m in local social economic value by creating local jobs, apprenticeships, and providing supported learning experiences for students, all while working closely with local businesses and the wider community. We will maximise the positive impact of this project, helping to drive growth and prosperity in Yeovil and beyond."
Adam Clarke, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters UK, said: “Leonardo welcomes the news that Yeovil College has secured the ‘Big Build’ investment for its campus. Investing in the redevelopment of the College will not only enhance the educational experience for the students, who include many Leonardo trainees, it will also serve as a cornerstone for economic growth and the development of future skills within our community. Future skills are critical to Leonardo, as they will enrich our onshore helicopter manufacturing capability for the development of tomorrow’s aerospace technologies.”