Plans have been approved for a new college campus on disused land in Barry. The Cardiff and Vale College will build the “state of the art” Barry Waterfront Campus on land south of Hood Road, with an expected opening towards the end of 2026. The £100m project will replace the current Colcot Road site and also includes a proposal for a new campus near Cardiff Airport. Cllr Mark Hooper of Plaid Cymru Vale of Glamorgan Council welcomed the approval, stating it will bring much-needed footfall to Barry’s waterfront area.
The new campus will accommodate up to 1,000 full-time and part-time students along with nearly 80 staff. In addition to classrooms, it will feature a hair and beauty salon and a restaurant open to the public, all run by students. Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader, Cllr Lis Burnett, described the approval as “wonderful news” and hailed the campus as a “landmark development” for Barry. She highlighted the project’s contribution to local regeneration and placemaking as an example of the positive impact of education on community development.
The college campus will offer facilities such as a gym, external garden terrace, IT rooms, and a dining area. The site will have parking and cycle storage, with a focus on sustainability. Cardiff and Vale College’s Chief Executive, Mike James, expressed delight at the approval, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to providing exceptional learning environments. The campus is expected to showcase how education can drive local regeneration effectively.
The council report noted that the proposed site’s parking provision falls slightly short of the maximum requirement but highlighted the site’s sustainable location protected by Traffic Regulation Orders. The new campus’s environmental sustainability and educational opportunities were emphasised as key aspects of its development. Cardiff and Vale College revealed plans for a 13,000sqm Advanced Technology Campus near Cardiff Airport, pending consideration by the Vale of Glamorgan Council later this month.