Coleg Cambria lodge plans for further upgrades with new “impressive face” for Yale campus

Coleg Cambria has lodged plans for further modernisation works with a new “impressive face” proposed for the Wrexham Yale campus.

The old school building along Chester Road, dating from 1902, are being kept as part of plans submitted to Wrexham Council – with the mid to late 20th century buildings to the north of the site set to be replaced with a brand new facility.

The buildings within the application area include heath and beauty departments, general teaching and a science block, all with self-contained staff administration facilities. These existing buildings are described in the planning application documents as being, “disjointed with several extensions at different periods”.

If successful the plan is to knock down the old buildings outlined in red and build the new facility.

It adds the old buildings are ‘fragmented, inflexible and do not offer efficient teaching areas’.

The proposed development will offer new teaching and training facilities and wellbeing facilities.

In the short term, the proposals “will provide improved facilities for Coleg Cambria. This will enable a standard of education to be achieved, increasing student access to education and ultimately employment”, with a longer term view noting “the proposals to improve teaching facilities will provide economic benefit to the local area via the increase in employment opportunities”

Top image shows the view from Chester Rd, this view is the rear of the building.

Coleg Cambria’s planning application states, “Here is an opportunity for the new buildings to be architecturally appealing and improve the visual character of this area of the campus. The new building will be visible from Chester Road, A5150 and presents the opportunity for the college to create a new impressive face to the campus.”

“The existing 1902 Grove Park School building provides the current feature at the frontage to Chester Road. The proposals respond to this existing building, providing an improved visual context, with the new building and the existing school working symbiotically to enhance the character of both.”

The impact on the Chester Road view is detailed with a before and after image:

The new building will see a “sweeping pedestrian route” with a “naturally lit triple height atrium above” forming the core of the space.

“Social spaces surround this open route at ground floor leading to the Health and Wellbeing facilities and cafe. At first and second floor, independent study areas and social spaces focus around the atrium void, with flexible teaching and training rooms, administration and support facilities arranged around the active circulation space.”

Wrexham Council’s Planning Committee will likely assess the application at a later date.