A new business centre is to be created by Wiltshire College & University Centre in Chippenham as part of a £2.2 million project to renovate Lackham House and develop a series of modern learning spaces.

The development work comes following the award of £1.7m to WCUC from the Department of Education to fund the project at the Lackham Campus as part the fifth wave of T Level capital funding. The remaining funds will be funded by WCUC.

The project will involve the refurbishment of parts of Lackham House – the Georgian manor house that is the central hub of the campus – to create a series of modern learning spaces.

It will also support the provision of the T-level programmes in business, accounting and finance starting at the campus in the 2024-25 academic year.

Improved IT provision and a refurbished reception area will sit alongside conferencing facilities at the Agri Business Centre.

An innovative VR teaching and simulation area will also be created in the house ahead of the launch of land-based T Level programmes in agriculture, environment and animal care at Lackham from 2024. The rooms will enable students to develop their skills with agricultural vehicles and machinery in a safe environment.

Work on the project is due to start before the end of the year with a planned completion date of summer 2024.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: An artist’s impression of the Agri Business Centre development project at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Lackham campus.An artist’s impression of the Agri Business Centre development project at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s Lackham campus. (Image: WCUC)

Iain Hatt, principal and chief executive officer at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said: “We are excited to continue the development of our Lackham campus with the creation of dynamic new teaching facilities to support the delivery of our land based and business T-levels. The renovation work will enable us to create a modern Business Centre in rural Wiltshire.

“We are proud of the role Lackham plays in developing the workforce of the future in land-based industries that are so important to our region.

“We strive to deliver a realistic learning environment and the best possible experience for all our students across our campuses.

“This renovation project will allow students to utilise the latest innovative technology in land based sectors and support us in addressing the skills gaps highlighted by employers.”

Lackham House is a Grade II-listed building built between 1793 and 1796 set amongst fields and woodland on the Lackham 234-hectare estate and bounded by the River Avon.

The house is a magnificent example of Georgian architecture and stands on a site where a house had stood since at least 1000AD. East and West Wings were added at later dates.

Lackham House now provides facilities to suit many purposes and activities and several areas are still used for teaching purposes as well as external conferencing.

The project will deliver high-quality, modern education facilities, whilst respecting the character of the existing building and not affecting the heritage significance of the building.

The Lackham House renovation continues the modernisation of the Lackham campus and follows the completion of a £9m redevelopment scheme in 2021 which saw the creation of a cutting-edge AgriTech Centre and robotic dairy at the site.

Enrolment for all students studying a post-16 full-time course at any WCUC campus in 2023-24 takes place on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25. Students should attend their individual invited session.

Students who haven’t yet applied for September are also welcome to attend enrolment days to apply to start a course in the new term.

All students should bring their GCSE and any other qualification results with them to confirm their place on their course.