Home / Education / £8.5m Energy Academy Expansion Set for Approval
£8.5m Energy Academy Expansion Set for Approval
31 Mar
Summary
- A new £8.5m engineering building is planned for Newcastle College.
- The expansion aims to train workers for offshore wind and renewable energy jobs.
- The project is expected to boost student numbers and local businesses.
Plans for a significant £8.5 million expansion of Newcastle College's Energy Academy in Wallsend are moving towards approval by North Tyneside Council. The proposed facility is designed to deliver specialized engineering workshops, equipping individuals with skills essential for careers in the expanding energy sector, particularly in offshore wind and renewable energy fields.
This expansion is projected to treble student numbers over the next five years, from approximately 340 to over 1,200. The development is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Wallsend, increasing activity in the town centre and providing additional income for local businesses through increased footfall.
Council officers have recommended the project for approval, acknowledging but mitigating concerns raised about potential loss of light and overlooking. The multi-million-pound funding for this forward-thinking project received approval from the North East Combined Authority in June. The new building's dimensions are set at 43.3ft in height, 283.1ft in length, and 76.4ft in width.
