Leeds College of Building Secures Over £919k for Renovations

Significant government funding to support college expansion and facilities upgrade

Leeds College of Building (LCB) is set to receive £919,871 in government funding to support essential building improvements and expansion of its estate. This funding is part of a wider £30 million package allocated to 18 further education colleges across Yorkshire and the Humber.

Details of the funding and planned use

The funding comes from the Further Education College Condition Allocation (FECCA) fund, which aims to assist colleges in maintaining and upgrading their facilities. The £30 million package will be distributed over the summer, with allocations varying from £6,000 for smaller institutions to £7 million for larger college groups for the 2026/2027 academic year.

LCB plans to use its allocation towards renovating a newly acquired building adjacent to its North Street Campus. The 5,000 square metre site on Melbourne Street will increase the college’s estate by approximately one third, representing a significant investment in its future growth.

Supporting construction skills and workforce development

LCB has been recognised as one of only ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC) across England for the 2025–2026 academic year. The new site is expected to support the CTEC mission to train up to 40,000 additional people in high-demand trades by 2029, addressing skills shortages in the construction sector.

Statements from college and government representatives

• Rob Holmes, Vice Principal at LCB: Highlighted the importance of the funding in renovating the new building to create specialist training environments focused on infrastructure, sustainability, and groundwork. He noted the college’s role in strengthening the construction workforce and the wider economy.
• Skills Minister Jacqui Smith: Emphasised the value of providing young people and staff with modern facilities to learn and succeed. She noted that the £30 million investment will modernise facilities across all 18 colleges in the region, supporting skills development and economic growth.

Background and future plans

The FECCA fund was introduced to provide colleges with a reliable annual allocation to plan and maintain their estates. The 2026/2027 allocation has been increased by £5 million compared to the previous year.

In the 2025/2026 academic year, LCB used funding to improve the facades of its North Street Campus and renovate refectory facilities. The current funding forms part of a broader £1.7 billion government investment under the Industrial Strategy aimed at modernising college buildings by 2030.

Further details about the college’s development plans for the North Street Campus are available through official channels.