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Search forNew £15million Swansea university campus could have its own pier
Wednesday, November 26, 2008, 07:59
Uni chiefs are mulling over a £15 million project to create an "innovation campus" on the beachfront near Fabian Way.
The project — dubbed "The Bay" — would see the engineering, medicine and computer sciences departments move to the city's Eastside.
Reaction among existing students is said to be mixed.
However, Universities UK said having a unique selling point, such as pier, could prove a real draw for prospective students.
Spokesman Gareth Morgan said: "There's a lot of competition among universities for students.
"Having an innovative campus or unique buildings is no doubt a good selling point for any institution.
"I'm sure it could be a factor when people decide which university they want to go to — especially if they are 50-50 between one or the other."
Officials at Swansea University are said to be keen for more "living space" after year-on-year increases in admissions made its Singleton Park campus somewhat cramped.
The Post understands the Eastside expansion would be sited on a 100-acre site owned by BP at Jersey Marine. Around three-quarters would fall under the borough of Neath Port Talbot, with the rest based across the boundary in Swansea.
It is believed the proposals include plans for 4,000 students to be housed on the beachfront site.
One option being considered to maximise land usage is to build a pier, which would be the first of its kind in Europe.
Students' Union president James Houston said the scheme had created a lot of debate among staff and students.
"A lot of them would like to know how the university could sustain such a plan because of the current economic climate," he added.
"But from what I gather, it is more of a long-term plan."
Mr Houston added concerns had been expressed about moving parts of the university from its existing base in the west of Swansea.
"Most of these are about the issue of transport, especially seeing as it would be at the other end of the city from where most of the students live," he added.
First-year student David Long was among those questioning the location of a second campus.
He said: "It's a fair walk to Fabian Way from anywhere. I walk to university at the moment and it saves me a lot of money.
"I don't know what I'd do if I had to pay for buses every day." Others said they wondered whether the new site would see the university becoming fragmented.
Third-year Natasha Farrell added: "I lived in the student village in my first year, and I loved it. It gives a real sense of a community. Students won't have that if they are split between two campuses."
A university spokeswoman said current projections indicated the institution would double in size by 2025.
She added: "Swansea University has been evaluating a number of opportunities to improve and expand its 46-acre site at Singleton.
"Following a review by consultants, it has been decided, in principle, to develop a second campus.
"The current intention is for this to be an open-innovation environment involving commercial research and development alongside traditional university activities.
"Plans are at an early stage and a firm decision is unlikely for several months. Speculation that a campus on this site could be occupied by 2010 is clearly unrealistic."
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