What work is happening at Cornwall College Camborne campus

The Cornwall College Group (TCCG) has announced “significant changes” to the campus in Trevenson Road, Pool, which has become a hub of activity.

Trenches are being dug for new plumbing and pipework to be installed, to protect the needs of students and staff both now and in years to come. A modern and easily maintainable energy centre is also being created as a stand-alone control hub, to withstand the elements and integrate into the campus environment.

For John Evans, principal and chief executive of TCCG, this is an exciting step towards a greener and more sustainable future for the College.

John said: “As the highest performing Further Education College in Cornwall, we want to continue enhancing the overall student experience.

“One of the notable features in the ongoing redevelopment is the creation of additional greenspace. Picnic benches and communal areas are being introduced to provide learners with inviting spaces for relaxation and socialisation between lessons.”

The ongoing redevelopment involves the planned removal of the Sharman building and the Tamar annex, which the college says will not only create more outdoor space but it is hoped will also encourage wildlife to the area.

The widely recognised Tamar Tower, which can been see rising above the Camborne and Pool area from many viewpoints, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment.

This, says the college, is “preserving its historic significance while ensuring it remains a symbol of the college's legacy.”

How the campus will look after the redevelopment is completed (Image: Cornwall College)

Cornwall College Camborne announced in September last year that the first phase of its multi-million pound redevelopment project to transform the campus had been completed.

As part of phase one, several buildings on the campus were removed to make way for more green space, in order to encourage local wildlife and enhance the biodiversity of the area.

Internally, the development of the campus includes fully refurbished, state-of-the art classrooms which the college says provides a “modern and inspiring learning environment” for students.

The Avalon Corridor, Merlin, Scott and Avalon buildings, the lecture theatre and Harris building were all involved in phase one.

The work is being funded through the Department for Education's Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.

The campus has been given £12 million for the project, under the Department for Education’s funding to remove poor quality and redundant buildings.

This is in addition to around £40 million given for a full rebuild of Cornwall College’s St Austell campus.

A spokesperson for the college said: “The overarching goal of this redevelopment remains to serve the community for generations to come and shape itself into a modern and desirable facility.”