Sizewell C's new college in Leiston approved
East Suffolk Council gives the go-ahead for post-16 college in Leiston
Plans for a new college in Leiston, part of the Sizewell C project, have received approval from East Suffolk Council, paving the way for an expansion in local educational opportunities.
The College on the Coast, developed in collaboration with Suffolk New College, will serve as a post-16 educational facility, providing pathways in engineering, digital skills, business, and logistics.
The college will be located on King George’s Avenue, featuring facilities for 150 students, 20 full-time staff, and space for 50 apprentices, according to Sizewell C's CEO Nigel Cann.
Cann said, “This is a big moment for our project, for Leiston, and for young people and adult learners in this part of Suffolk. By building a new college right here in Leiston, in partnership with Suffolk New College, we’re removing some of those barriers and creating life-changing opportunities for thousands of people.”
Construction efforts are set in motion with archaeological work starting soon. The main building phase will begin in the New Year, with classes slated for 2027.
Alan Pease, Principal and CEO of Suffolk New College, highlighted the importance of the project. He said, “I’m thrilled that we now have planning permission to build the College on the Coast in Leiston. This is fantastic news for our communities and for the future of skills in Suffolk.”
The plans also incorporate an Apprentice Hub and a Centre of Excellence for advanced training, addressing skills needs related to Sizewell C and similar projects.
Councillor Tom Daly expressed his support for the development, saying, “We are pleased to see planning permission granted for the new education hub in Leiston. Sizewell C is expected to have a significant impact on employment in the area.”
What is Sizewell C?
Sizewell C is a proposed nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast, aimed at generating 3.2GW of low-carbon electricity, sufficient to power six million homes.
The projects bosses promise it will create thousands of jobs and training opportunities in the region, with a commitment of £250 million to local funding.
Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to contribute £40 million annually to the local economy and employ 900 individuals in high-skilled roles.
Additionally, it is projected to decrease carbon dioxide emissions by nine million tonnes each year, supporting the region's clean energy transition and increasing local biodiversity.
Minister of State for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, Lord Vallance, underscored the broader impact, stating, “Sizewell C is about more than generating clean energy, it’s about creating opportunities that will last for generations.”