Plans approved to deliver £7m teaching facility at Solent University

Southampton City Council has given the green light for plans to refurbish the Sir Christopher Cockerell Building at Solent University’s East Park Terrace into a new teaching facility.

The work, which includes an internal reconfiguration, a new roof, and the replacement of external wall cladding, is expected for completion next spring.

Named after the inventor of the hovercraft, the Sir Christopher Cockerell centre currently offers courses in boat building, as well as commercial and construction trades.

Prof James Knowles, vice-chancellor, said: “Following a successful application led by Solent University, backed by more than £13 million funding from the Department for Education, the South Coast Institute of Technology was officially launched in November 2022.

“As part of this, we’re delighted to be refurbishing the Sir Christopher Cockerell building to create a new £7 million state-of-the-art teaching facility.

“The new space will include a welding workshop, marine labs, and towing and stability tanks.

“The project will have a huge benefit for both students and the wider community by focusing on upskilling the region with today’s most sought-after skills.

“It will give students the opportunity to learn in a cutting-edge facility, and it will respond to the needs of employers by boosting the creation of a highly skilled workforce for Southampton and nationally.”