Wiltshire College & University Centre is to create an innovative Agri Business Centre at its Lackham campus as part of an exciting £2.2million project to renovate Lackham House and develop a series of modern learning spaces.
The development work comes following the award of £1.7million to WCUC from the Department of Education to fund the project as part the fifth wave of T Level Capital Funding. The remaining funds will be funded by WCUC.
The project will involve the refurbishment of parts of Lackham House – the magnificent Georgian manor house that is the central hub of the campus – to create a series of modern learning spaces and support the provision of the T Level programmes in business, accounting and finance starting at the campus in the 2024-25 academic year. Improved IT provision and a refurbished reception area will sit alongside conferencing facilities, providing students with an environment that will be more akin to a 21st Century business centre.
An innovative VR teaching and simulation area will also be created in the house ahead of the launch of land based T Level programmes in agriculture, environment and animal care at Lackham from 2024. The rooms will enable students to develop their skills with agricultural vehicles and machinery in a safe environment.
Work on the project is due to start before the end of the year with a planned completion date of summer 2024.
Iain Hatt, Principal and CEO at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said: “We are excited to continue the development of our Lackham campus with the creation of dynamic new teaching facilities to support the delivery of our land based and business T Levels. The renovation work will enable us to create a modern Business Centre in rural Wiltshire.
“We are proud of the role Lackham plays in developing the workforce of the future in land based industries that are so important to our region. We strive to deliver a realistic learning environment and the best possible experience for all our students across our campuses. This renovation project will allow students to utilise the latest innovative technology in land based sectors and support us in addressing the skills gaps highlighted by employers.”
Lackham House is a Grade II listed building built in 1791-96 and several areas are still used for teaching purposes as well as external conferencing. The planned sensitive internal refurbishment work will get the full potential out of the house and ensure its continued use as an education facility.
The project will deliver high-quality, modern education facilities, whilst respecting the character of the existing building and not affecting the heritage significance of the building.
The Lackham House renovation continues the modernisation of the Lackham campus and follows the completion of a £9million redevelopment scheme in 2021 which saw the creation of a cutting-edge AgriTech Centre and robotic dairy at the site.
Enrolment for all students studying a post-16 full-time course at any WCUC campus in 2023-24 takes place on Thursday 24th August and Friday 25th August. Students should attend their individual invited session. Students who haven’t yet applied for September are also welcome to attend enrolment days to apply to start a course in the new term. All students should bring their GCSE and any other qualification results with them to confirm their place on their course.
