New Ashington College’s green campus will be a ‘Gen Zero’ pioneer

NORTHUMBERLAND College has confirmed its new Ashington Campus will be a groundbreaking ‘Gen Zero’ development – designed to be as close as possible to carbon neutral in both construction and operation.
The state-of-the-art new technical college campus is set to be built on a 5.7 acre site on the Wansbeck Business Park with work due to begin this Spring.

And as part of its effort to be cutting-edge in every way, the purpose-built, hourglass shaped complex will have the greenest of credentials and a Gen Zero status.
The college’s plans include three buildings which will house an advanced manufacturing, engineering and construction skills centre; a green transport, automotive and logistics hub; and a technical college build including digital classrooms, virtual reality environments, a simulated hospital, health and social care facility, employability facilities, a centre for young people with special educational needs, along with offices, a car park and sports facilities.

Architects Race Cottam are designing the campus while leading UK construction company Bowmer +
Kirkland has been appointed to build the development.
The college will the first in a new generation of further education buildings designed to be Gen Zero – ultra-low carbon in both construction and operation.

Ellen Thinnesen, chief executive of the Education Partnership North East, (EPNE), which runs the college, said: “We wanted our new Ashington Campus to play into the region’s net zero ambitions, but the Gen Zero designs take it to the next level.”
To reduce its carbon footprint, innovative, sustainable designs and materials along with modern methods
of construction will mean the college campus is largely being built and manufactured off-site before being assembled in Ashington.
Ellen explained: “Our campus will be built to a systems-based design and manufactured in a factory setting and at a time when energy costs are rising, this state-of-the-art campus will put
energy back into the grid.”
A sophisticated heating and heat recovery system will incorporate solar panels and heat ‘scavenged’ from kitchens and changing rooms.

Hot water will be provided by air-source heat pumps and stored in innovative cylinders while the buildings will have ‘timber envelopes,’ – the material chosen as a natural and renewable resource, which is easy to source and available in small quantities if, and when needed.
External spaces will be just as important as the internal spaces at the campus, with the landscape
surrounding the buildings incorporating major tree planting (which will act as solar screening) and rain
gardens, while pathways will be made of carefully chosen sustainable materials.
Ellen explained: “Accessible outside spaces can have a hugely beneficial effect on the health, well-being, and educational attainment of learners.

“Our campus will have spaces for outdoor learning, physical and social activities as well as horticultural areas, trees, and bike stores – a key part of our ‘greenification’ agenda.”
Michael Black, director of economic growth and investments at Advance Northumberland, said: “It is
fitting that this pioneering Gen Zero College Campus is being developed in the heart of Ashington town
centre, on Wansbeck Business Park.

“The park is part of a network of energy-led strategic employment sites that we have developed specifically to attract some of the world’s most advanced, clean energy investments in offshore wind and automotive electrification.

“This exciting new facility will play a key role in improving employment opportunities in these sectors, not just for Ashington but for students throughout Northumberland.”

Coun Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “We’re delighted at the progress on this flagship educational facility and its aspirations to be as close as possible to carbon neutral.”