GOWER College Swansea is exploring options for another site including one understood to be at a new precinct planned in the city centre.
It didn’t name the Porth Copr site when asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) if it was planning to take up space there but said it regularly reviewed its estate and was looking at future options, including potential city centre opportunities.
The Porth Copr project at the former St David’s Shopping Centre and adjacent multi-storey car park, which has been demolished, is being taken forward by Swansea Council and a development partner called Urban Splash.
The college told the LDRS: “We have an excellent working relationship with Swansea Council and support its ongoing efforts to regenerate and revitalise the city centre.
“We welcome the opportunity to explore how we can contribute to these ambitions while continuing to provide the best possible facilities and opportunities for our learners and staff.
“These discussions are at an early stage. No decisions have been made, and any proposal would be subject to funding and the necessary approvals.”
Porth Copr will, if it gets built, comprise flats and blocks with office, commercial and education space at the former St David’s Shopping Centre and adjacent multi-storey car park, which has been demolished.
A spokesman for the council said: “We are working with partners on plans for a skills campus in the city centre. This would help further boost the city centre by creating far more footfall and vibrancy, helping to attract new shops and other businesses.
“Positive discussions are progressing and announcements will be made once details are finalised.”
Outline planning permission for Porth Copr is in place and one of the seven blocks proposed has detailed consent and will be for office workers with commercial units on the ground floor.
Gower College Swansea’s main sites are at Tycoch and at Gorseinon, where a £20.6 million redevelopment has just been completed. It also operates smaller sites including Llwyn y Bryn, Uplands.
The college had around 7,900 full and part-time students in 2024-25, according to its annual report of that year, and provided training to around 3,000 apprentices. The report said an “enhanced city centre presence” was among its plans.
