Demolition soon to start on former police station to make way for new college campus

Bridgend County Borough Council say that contractors Cardiff Demolition are due to begin demolition in the week beginning Monday 20 March with work expected to take up to 12 weeks.

The council say that access to Cheapside and local businesses will be maintained during the demolition, although there will be some temporary narrowing of the carriageway and minor alterations to pedestrian crossing points. The contractor will be contacting local businesses before demolition starts to advise on the programme of works.

The authority adds that the site, at Cheapside, forms a significant part of its regeneration plans for the town centre.

Once the building is demolished, the site, together with the former Cheapside multi-storey car park site will be leased to Bridgend College, enabling the relocation of the Cowbridge Road campus to the new town centre location.

The college plan to create a net-zero carbon building, with 21st century learning and teaching facilities for post-16 education in Bridgend, with community benefits including a 200-seat theatre space, a coffee shop and flexible meeting spaces.

It represents a £50 million investment into the skills and training of the young people in Bridgend and members of the community who need opportunities to retrain and gain valuable employability skills. This investment is part funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration Councillor Neelo Farr said: “The new college campus which will cater for at least 1,000 staff and students will be a catalyst for the wider regeneration in the area, increasing footfall and supporting local businesses.

“Meanwhile our plans for developing enhanced public transport will make it easier for people to access its facilities.”

(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)