Brent Council has approved plans for the delivery of a new £140m College of North West London campus in the heart of Wembley Park.
The proposals, designed by WilkinsonEyre, include the demolition of the existing Olympic Office Centre, measuring 95,000 sq ft, and the construction of a 160,000 sq ft purpose-built further education facility.
The new premises are expected to become a new home for a variety of specialist departments, providing generic teaching spaces, a learning support hub and open/shared areas.
Initially, the developer behind the scheme, United Colleges Group, sought to retain the structural frame of the existing building. However, it then came across some issues which may have impeded future flexibility and adaptation of the building for future education needs. In addition, areas of the building that allow enhanced clear headroom suitable for vocational workshops are limited and core levels were found to be different.
As such, the new campus building will span across eight storeys, including entrance lobby and construction workshops, a facade with double glazed screens allowing visibility from Olympic Way, and a terrace on the second floor. Photovoltaic panels will largely cover the roof.
The construction of the new campus is expected to be complete and ready for occupation for the autumn term of September 2026.
The move comes as the college’s existing sites at Willesden and Wembley are no longer considered to be fit for purpose and are unable to “fulfil the college’s full potential”. Consequently, the college plans to consolidate educational facilities into one new-build campus on a new site at Olympic Way in Wembley Park.
Stephen Davis, group principal and chief executive at United Colleges Group, said: “Our new site delivers more education, training and skills opportunities for our students and will provide the community with an important place to work and learn.”
Jonathan Bainbridge, partner at Bidwells, which is advising United Colleges Group on land, project management and planning, said: “The building will provide a flexible and inclusive space supporting modern skills-based learning for people of all ages in the setting of the Wembley National Stadium. Achieving a resolution to grant from the Brent planning committee is the first vital step as the college embarks upon delivering its ambitions plans.”
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