Plans for an all-new multi-million pound college campus that aims to rejuvenate Bridgend have taken another step forward.
Bridgend College has submitted a pre-application planning proposal to Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) outlining how it wants to build a new learning and skills campus at Cheapside in the centre of Bridgend.
Land currently occupied by Bridgend Police Station and the multi-story car park at Cheapside that was closed in April 2021 will make way for the new development.
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Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration at BCBC, Councillor Charles Smith, called the development a "regeneration cornerstone" for Bridgend.
He said: "Developing a new campus with modern educational facilities is going to attract more people into the county borough, and given the close proximity of the former multi-storey site, it makes sense for the college to include it as part of its plans, too.
“At the same time, the council will be commissioning a new car parking study for the whole of Bridgend County Borough.
"This will look at current provision within the town centre area, and whether additional capacity will be required."
Of the £1.3 million that has already been set aside for acquiring and preparing the site for development, £910,000 has come from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme.
The intention is for the campus to be leased out to Bridgend College so that they can relocate from their current site on Queen's Road.
Relocating Bridgend College is one part of BCBC's Regeneration Masterplan, which also includes redeveloping the train station entrance; creating a new town square; relocating the police station; and using derelict and empty sites for new shops and housing.
The council's plans also include creating new commercial space, improving vehicle access to the town and creating a new culture hub for indoor events.
As well as bringing Bridgend College closer to transport links, relocating it is intended to bring extra footfall to the town centre and support local businesses.
Cllr Smith added: “Ultimately, this proposal seeks to bring higher and further education into the town centre where it will be closer to retail, leisure and transport hubs.
"This is both a fantastic opportunity and a regeneration cornerstone, and I am looking forward to seeing how the plans develop further.”
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