Will the Minister provide details of any further education colleges in Wales that have indicated to the Welsh Government, through submissions or discussions as part of the Welsh Government's oversight role, an intention to close any of their campuses permanently?
The college’s strategic outline programme for investment as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme was approved in 2017, which included proposed investment at Pibwrlwyd Campus. The strategic outline case was submitted in March 2023, which included a full options appraisal. The preferred option identified by the college was the rationalisation of campuses with facilities at Ammanford Campus being relocated to the Pibwrlwyd Campus. This was based on extensive work undertaken by the college between 2017 and 2023 to review their estate strategy.
An outline business case has not been submitted for the project and is not expected until the project has completed the first stage of the design development process with WEPCo. This is not expected until Spring 2025.
The following college projects included as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme have indicated their intention to close a campus:
- Bridgend College – Town Centre Project: Proposed relocation of Cowbridge Road Campus to a new site in Bridgend Town Centre.
- Cardiff and Vale College – Vale Campuses Project: Proposed creation of two new campuses in the Vale of Glamorgan which will result in the closure of the Colcot Road Campus.
- Coleg Gwent – Knowledge Quarter Project: Proposed relocation of Nash Road Campus to a new site in Newport City Centre.
- NPTC Group of Colleges – Harbourside Project: Proposed relocation of Afan Campus to a new site on the Harbourside Development.