Cornwall College

History

Cornwall College was established as a technical education college in 1929 to meet the needs of local industries. It has grown significantly since then and now boasts eight campuses across Cornwall and Devon.

New Development/Project Overview

The redevelopment of the college is being delivered in stages:

• Phase One (Completed): Focused on demolition of multiple buildings to create more green space and refurbishing existing classrooms for a more modern feel
• Phase Two (Ongoing): Involves significant construction work including installing new plumbing and pipework to meet evolving needs, and refurbishing the iconic Tamar Tower to preserve its historical significance
• Phase Three (to commence in January 2025): Demolition of remaining buildings following relocation of staff and students into the refurbished buildings including all necessary service diversions, asbestos removal, demolition, and site remedial works to increase green areas on campus.

The overall aim is to create a state-of-the-art learning environment which features:

• Upgraded classrooms, laboratories, and workshops.
• Improved technology and infrastructure.
• Enhanced accessibility and safety features.
• Modern and desirable facilities that will serve the community for generations to come.
• A focus on sustainability through features like a modern energy centre

Weaver Demolition began work early in 2023 which included the removal of several empty and dilapidated buildings that were in poor condition, particularly on the southern and eastern side of the campus, in order to improve the visual amenity of the college when viewed from the surrounding neighbourhood area. The work also reduced the security risk posed by empty buildings fringing the edge of the site. Retained buildings will be upgraded and reconfigured internally to accommodate revised teaching and support functions.

Project Requirements

• Disconnection of services
• Removal of internal waste
• Licensed and Non-licensed asbestos removal
• Full internal strip out
• Demolition of above ground structures
• Removal of slabs
• Engineered backfill of basement area
• Following the demolition works, vacant sites were topsoiled and re-seeded and then retained as open soft landscape

Environment Impact

The works were on a live college campus and backed onto a Nursery therefore it was imperative that we ensured minimal disruption to both those around us and the environment.  Dust was continuously monitored throughout the works and a dust canon/motofog unit was utilised to dampen down the works.

Modern plant and equipment were used to ensure noise was kept to a minimum.  Any equipment not in use was switched off.

Project Highlights

• Local labour used to support our project team
• Local suppliers used for waste disposal/recycling, and material import.
• Project delivered within budget and ahead of programme

Key Benefits to the Client

We were appointed as Principal Contractor for Phase One and Three of the works which meant the college had a single point of contact for all works on site from start to finish.  This ensured efficient communication and a reduction in their originally anticipated preliminary costs.

Project Summary

Overall, the redevelopment project at Cornwall College Camborne represents a significant investment in the future of the college and the community. It aims to create a modern learning space that will benefit students and staff for years to come by attracting more students, and contributing to the area’s overall development

For further information, read the following news article on the redevelopment project here