Plans submitted for 75,000 sq ft Leeds construction training facility
Leeds College of Building is looking to expand its estate by around a quarter having acquired the neighbouring Melbourne Street site in November 2025, with the project now out to tender for main contractors.
The college is proposing to transform the building into a new Construction Technical Excellence College, next to its existing North Street Campus.
Construction is expected to commence early next year, with completion in time for the Autumn 2028 intake.
The refurbished facility will provide workshops for practical training, classrooms and amenity areas for students and staff, supporting demand for skilled construction and built environment professionals across the region.
Fuse Studios has been appointed as lead designer and architect on the project.
The wider consultant team includes Turner & Townsend for project management and quantity surveying, WSP for planning, structures and MEP, LDA Design for landscape architecture, and Andrew Moseley Associates for transport and development planning.
Leeds College of Building was named one of the first 10 CTECs in England in August 2025, with the specialist further education providers funded by the UK Government to help address construction skills shortages.
The college was selected to represent the Yorkshire & Humber region.
The CTEC model brings together local employers, regional authorities and education and training providers, with the aim of widening access to construction careers and providing opportunities for existing workers to upskill.
The Leeds facility will focus on skills linked to major infrastructure, housing, retrofit and Net Zero projects.
It will also contribute to a national target of training an additional 40,000 workers in high-demand trades by 2029.
Once refurbished, the CTEC will form part of the college’s wider estate alongside its recently renovated North Street Campus and South Bank Campus, which was completed in 2019.
Chris Duncan, vice principal – finance & resources at Leeds College of Building, said: “The submission of our planning application is a major step forward in delivering transformative investment in construction skills for Leeds, West Yorkshire and beyond.
“This milestone is the culmination of an extensive programme of stakeholder and curriculum engagement to help design facilities to best meet national and regional skills priorities.
“The CTEC building will provide the capacity and specialist facilities required to develop the skilled workforce needed to support the government’s programme of new towns, housing growth, and transport infrastructure projects and help ensure that the economic benefits of major public investment are retained within the region.”
Mike Harris, director at Fuse, added: “Fuse is delighted to be working with Leeds College of Building again, following the successful delivery of the college’s South Bank Campus buildings and more recently, refurbishment projects in the North Street Campus.
“Having worked with the college for over a decade, we have an excellent understanding of the needs of its learners and staff and are bringing this knowledge to the CTEC Building.
“At a time when the industry is developing innovative solutions for repurposing buildings, it is great for Leeds College of Building to be taking a lead; by creating sustainable, state-of-the-art teaching facilities for tomorrow’s construction professionals within an existing building.
“When complete, the building, its new landscaped setting and most importantly its occupants, will provide a greater level of vibrancy to this part of the city centre.”
