BUILDING work on the Swansea University’s second campus will start in April, it’s been announced.

The first phase of the seaside site off Fabian Way will cost £150m and should be completed by the summer of 2015.
Over 4,000 jobs will be created in the building of the new campus and up to 6,000 more supported once the project is completed. The second campus will also contribute £3bn to the local economy over the next ten years, the university estimates.

Oil company British Petroleum donated the land to the university and companies such as Rolls Royce, HP, Tata, Bell Labs and BAE will be heavily involved in the work to be carried out.

Currently, there are plans to include a research and testing facility for Rolls-Royce and the engineering department will be substantially expanded.

As Hendrofoelan student village is to close, 900 flats will also be built on the new campus to accommodate students.

Tenders have been reviewed and St Modwen has been awarded the building contract. Bill Oliver, chief Executive of St. Modwen, said: “This is an incredibly exciting project and one that complements our experience in regenerating complex sites.

“We are very pleased to have agreed terms and look forward to engaging with Swansea University, Neath Port Talbot Council and other stakeholders to progress the delivery of this substantial and strategic development.”

A university spokesperson said: “We can confirm that St Modwen and their construction partner Vinci have been identified as the preferred bidder for the development. We have agreed terms with them and are in the final stages of discussion. We anticipate being in a position to sign a development agreement shortly.”