Colleges
Understanding the needs of growing colleges to meet the 21st century demands of students
Willmott Dixon has secured the £19.3 million first phase of Coleg Gwent's redevelopment of its Crosskeys Campus in Newport, transforming the site into a modern, net zero carbon learning environment for one of Wales' largest further education colleges.
Procured via the SEWSCAP framework, this phase will deliver a new three-storey, 2,552 sq m teaching building alongside a new Energy Centre, state-of-the-art catering facilities, business and IT learning spaces, and dedicated areas for exams, independent study and staff use.
This project has received funding and support from the Welsh Government Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and forms part of a multi-phase masterplan to transform the Crosskeys Campus, which first opened in the 1960s as a training hub for the mining industry. The masterplan replaces under-performing buildings with sustainable facilities aligned with Welsh Government guidance.
The new building is designed to be net zero carbon in operation and target BREEAM Excellent.
Phase 2, expected to begin in early 2028 subject to funding, will deliver a new Block Z housing Hair and Beauty, Health and Social Care, and the ILS Café, alongside further campus rationalisation works. It follows handover of the new Block Y in 2027 and subsequent demolition of the existing B Block. Phase 2 is expected to include further campus rationalisation works as part of the funding application.
Ian Jones, director at Willmott Dixon:
"This project is about much more than construction, it's about creating opportunities and a sustainable future for the Crosskeys community. Working in close partnership with the team at Coleg Gwent, we're helping to bring forward a campus that will serve both today's learners and future generations.
"Crosskeys builds on our track record of delivering sustainable education facilities across Wales, including Bridgend College's new net zero in operation town centre campus and a Passivhaus primary school and community hub for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, both showing how modern learning environments can lead the way on carbon reduction."
Nicola Gamlin, principal of Coleg Gwent, added:
"This redevelopment is about much more than just buildings, it's about creating opportunities for current and future learners across our communities. We are proud of the role that the Crosskeys Campus has played over generations, and these new facilities will ensure it continues to inspire and support students for many years to come. By investing in modern, sustainable spaces, we are helping learners to gain the skills, confidence and experiences they need to succeed in their future careers."
Willmott Dixon is working with architect Stride Treglown on the project, continuing a partnership that includes the Passivhaus primary school and community hub in Glyn-coch, South Wales, also procured through the SEWSCAP framework. The wider project team includes AtkinsRealis as project manager, structural engineer and M&E consultant, and Rider Levett Bucknall as quantity surveyor.
The contract adds to Willmott Dixon's growing further and higher education portfolio, which includes the town centre campus for Bridgend College and two major projects for Queen Mary University of London, the £48.8m School of Business and Management and the retrofit of its Information Teaching Laboratory.
Coleg Gwent is one of Wales' largest further education colleges, operating five campuses at Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, City of Newport, Crosskeys, Torfaen Learning Zone and Usk, offering vocational courses, apprenticeships, A-levels and higher education opportunities. The Crosskeys Campus offers courses including A-levels, vocational qualifications and apprenticeships in subjects such as performing arts, catering, beauty and manufacturing.