Plans Submitted for New Construction Training Centre in Leeds

Leeds College of Building moves forward with new facility proposal

Leeds College of Building (LCB) has submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council for a new Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) building, marking a significant development in construction education in the region.

Details of the proposed facility

The new facility will be located on Melbourne Street, adjacent to LCB’s North Street Campus. The college acquired the site in November last year and plans to transform the existing building into a 7,000 square metre training centre. This expansion will increase the college’s estate by approximately 25%.

The refurbished building is set to include:

• Workshops for practical, hands-on training
• Classrooms for theoretical learning
• Amenity areas for students and staff

Project collaborators and timeline

Fuse Studios Ltd has been appointed as lead architect for the renovation. Other consultants involved include Turner & Townsend (project management and quantity surveying), WSP (planning, structural and MEP engineering), LDA Design (landscape architecture), and Andrew Moseley Associates (transport and development planning).

Construction is expected to begin early in 2024, with the facility scheduled to open for the Autumn 2028 intake.

CTEC status and regional impact

In August 2023, Leeds College of Building was named one of the first Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) in England, a status awarded to only ten colleges nationwide. LCB represents the Yorkshire & Humber region in this initiative, which is funded by the UK government to address skills shortages in the construction sector.

The CTEC network operates on a hub-and-spoke model, connecting employers, local authorities, and education providers to improve access to construction careers. It aims to support underrepresented groups and provide upskilling opportunities for existing workers.

The new building is intended to help meet demand for skilled workers in areas such as:

• Infrastructure development
• Housing projects
• Building retrofit
• Net Zero initiatives

This aligns with national targets to train an additional 40,000 construction workers by 2029.

Statements from key figures

Chris Duncan, Vice Principal of Finance & Resources at LCB, highlighted the importance of the project: “The submission of our planning application is a major step forward in delivering transformative investment in construction skills for Leeds, West Yorkshire and beyond. This milestone is the culmination of an extensive programme of stakeholder and curriculum engagement to help design facilities to best meet national and regional skills priorities.”

Mike Harris, Director at Fuse Studios Ltd, commented on the project’s sustainable approach: “It is great for LCB to be taking a lead by creating sustainable, state-of-the-art teaching facilities for tomorrow’s construction professionals within an existing building. When complete, the building, its new landscaped setting and most importantly its occupants, will provide a greater level of vibrancy to this part of the city centre.”

Next steps

The project is currently out to tender, with contractors being sought to deliver the construction work. Earlier in October, LCB presented the Yorkshire & Humber CTEC regional delivery plans at an event held at the Royal Armouries Museum, attended by over 160 representatives from education, construction, and local government sectors.