Plans have been submitted for a new Electrical Workshop Building at Burnley College, supporting the continued expansion of the college’s North Campus and providing state-of-the-art facilities for future generations of electrical engineering and vocational skills students.

On behalf of Burnley College, S&L Planning Consultants has submitted a planning application for the development on land within the college’s North Campus area off Princess Way, Burnley.

The proposals include a purpose-built two-storey Electrical Workshop Building totalling approximately 1,350 square metres. The facility will include four electrical workshops, four classrooms, a seminar room, staff facilities and supporting accommodation designed to meet the growing demand for technical and vocational training across the region.

The workshop forms the second phase of the college’s wider North Campus masterplan following the completion of the Industry Hub in 2024. It will be located alongside the existing North Campus facilities, overlooking landscaped grounds and the River Calder.

The building has been designed to complement the character of the recently completed Industry Hub, incorporating a modern portal-framed design with high-quality materials and extensive glazing to create bright, flexible teaching and learning environments.

Sustainability is a major feature of the proposals. The development adopts a fabric-first approach with enhanced thermal performance, photovoltaic panels across the roof, energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems, biodiversity enhancements and extensive landscaping designed to strengthen ecological links along the River Calder corridor.

Burnley College’s chief finance & operating officer, Stuart Arnfield, said: “The proposed Electrical Workshop represents an important investment in the future of technical education at Burnley College. Demand for skilled electrical professionals continues to grow and these facilities will provide students with industry-standard learning environments that reflect the needs of modern employers.

“The North Campus has already transformed the educational offer available at the college through the delivery of the Industry Hub, and this latest phase will further strengthen our ability to support learners, employers and the wider Lancashire economy.”

The plans include a fully accessible building with step-free access, lift provision between floors and modern teaching spaces designed to support a wide range of learning requirements. The development will also benefit from existing sustainable transport links, including nearby rail services, bus routes and pedestrian connections to the main college campus.

Mike Hughes of S&L Planning Consultants added: “Burnley College is one of the region’s most important educational institutions and the proposed development represents another significant step in the delivery of its long-term vision for the North Campus.

“The workshop has been carefully designed to complement the existing campus, respect its landscape setting and deliver high-quality teaching accommodation in a sustainable and accessible manner.

“The development will provide modern facilities that support workforce development and skills training while also delivering environmental benefits through biodiversity enhancements, sustainable drainage measures and low-carbon building technologies.”

Subject to planning approval, the new workshop will form part of Burnley College’s ongoing investment in its campus estate and support the delivery of high-quality vocational education.