General
1.
How will Swansea University (staff and students) benefit from the second
campus, do we really need the development?
Swansea University needs to ensure that it has the capacity and quality of facilities required to
achieve its ambitions for growth in the future. The current 46-acre Singleton Park Campus has
reached a point where there is no longer space for vital additional recruitment and expansion. This
is inhibiting the growth and development of the University. The strategic vision is to transform the
University’s existing estate into a fit for purpose, research driven exemplar of a 21st century
university, fully promoting and championing the student experience.
There is no option for the University to expand its existing site, but its prized location – opposite a
beach, within a park – makes a wholesale move to a new site unattractive. The Campus
Development Programme, designed to capitalise on the University’s growing research expertise and
interactions with major international knowledge based companies, therefore consists of:
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the development of a new Science and Innovation Campus
the transformation of the Singleton Campus
the sale of Hendrefoilan Student Village
2.
Should the University be investing in a second campus? Wouldn’t the money be
better spent on expanding or renewing the Singleton Campus?
The two options below were considered as part of the university’s extensive options analysis and
were dismissed as being too costly, disruptive to business and would not provide the university with
the required expansion space
OPTION 1 Do minimum – maintain the existing operation at Singleton and Hendrefoilan,
addressing backlog maintenance but not improving the functionality of buildings;
OPTION 2 Develop entirely within the footprint of Singleton with the objective of removing
backlog maintenance liabilities and reconfiguring space to meet modern needs where
feasible;
The Campus Development Programme includes the renovation of the Singleton Campus, enabled by
the space freed up by the relocation of the colleges of Engineering and Business.
3. Will the second campus mean that less attention is given to renewal and
improvement of the Singleton Campus?
No. The approach is one of two sites - one overall Campus development. Phase 1 of the Campus
Development Programme, which has already commenced, has been solely focused on the Singleton
Campus (in excess of £70m capital development spend since 2009) with the completion of projects
including the enhancement of the public realm, construction of Institute of Life Science 2 and
improvements to energy performance and appearance – for example with re-cladding and works to
the facades of Faraday Tower and Keir Hardie building. Refurbishment programmes involving the
Grove, Wallace and Margam Buildings have taken place. Fulton House is being upgraded in a phased
manner, initially incorporating the creation of a commercial zone on the west side of the ground
floor to enhance the student experience.
The Campus Development Programme includes a programme of demolitions and refurbishment at
Singleton and will release space for further development on the Singleton Campus.
Finance
4.
What is the amount of the loan that will be required to fund the second campus
project, and what sources will the necessary funds be drawn from?
The European Investment Bank loan of £60m will be used to fund both the Science and
Innovation Campus and the Singleton main campus redevelopment. The repayment of the
loan has been built into the revenue budget of the University for the next 23years. The
modelling for the loan has included extensive sensitivity analysis to ensure the University can
afford the repayments.
The University has been able to secure a highly favourable rate and terms as a result of the regional
economic benefits of the Science and Innovation Campus.
5.
Will the University use up its reserves to fund the second campus project?
The University, in addition to the European Investment Bank finance of £60m, has secured £62m of
Welsh Government, WEFO and UK Government funding to fund the project. The remainder will be
met from the University’s cash balances, generated through annual surpluses.
6. Given the possibility of reduced student numbers - not necessarily at this
time, but at any point during the loan required to finance the second
campus – what provision has been made to mitigate the risk of reduced
student revenue, and therefore reduced income to service the loan?
The modelling for the loan has included an extensive sensitivity analysis to ensure the University can
afford the repayments under a range of adverse scenarios and a significant contingency has been built
into the forecasts
7. Given the uncertainties in the economy generally, is this the right time to expand
to a second campus? What are the risks and how have these been dealt with in the
business plan?
The time is opportune and the University has been able to mitigate risks going forward and has
enjoyed considerable financial support from Welsh Government, Europe and UK Government.
A wide range of risks have been identified as part of the extensive planning process and have been
reviewed through the University’s governance processes. Mitigation measures have been identified
for all risks to ensure that all residual risks fall within the University’s risk appetite.
It is important to consider that this is a long-term project which is likely to transcend the current
economic climate.
As part of their due diligence exercise, the European Investment Bank commented that the
university/business collaboration environment and future plans of the University were one of the
best examples they have seen in Western Europe. We are confident that what is being planned will
prove an exemplar for collaborative economic regeneration across Wales and Europe. The
development will enhance the competitiveness of Swansea University within the HE market
The Science and Innovation Campus represents an exceptional opportunity for the University and
has been developed following an extensive period of careful planning.
Access and Travel
8. Will there be a direct transport link between the two campus sites? Will this be
free to staff needing to travel between the two?
Yes there will be several transport options available to staff. The University is committed to
providing a regular bus service between the two campus sites which will be free to members of staff.
9. Are any infrastructure improvements contemplated which will facilitate access to
the site other than by car?
The University is making a financial contribution to provide improvements to the cycle route
[National Cycle Route 4] between the Science & Innovation campus and the city centre. The
development will provide facilities for cyclists including cycle storage, shower and changing facilities,
and lockers in all academic buildings. The University is also considering a bike hire service and
actively consulting with cycle to work scheme providers to enable staff to purchase cycling
equipment via an attractive salary sacrifice scheme.
10. Will the public have access to the site, or will there be fencing and controlled access
as on the Singleton Campus?
As on the Singleton Campus, there will be controlled access to the site
11. If staff are required to work between both campus sites, will they be based at one
site and allowed to claim travel expenses to travel to the other?
Staff will be ‘based’ at one of the two campuses. Where staff are required to travel between the
campuses they will be expected to use the free bus service or pool cycles. Exceptionally, where they
are required to use their car, they will be able to claim a mileage allowance in accordance with the
agreed scheme.
Facilities
12. Has consideration been given to the provision of childcare at the second campus?
For example, do the plans include crèche facilities?
The University is currently scoping the options.
13. What canteen or food service facilities will there be at the second campus? Will the
University insist on food price equalisation between the two sites?
There are a variety of food outlets planned including a Dining Hall, bar, mini-market, and coffee
shops. The coffee shops are distributed throughout the academic buildings and will provide services
similar to Cafe Glas. The pricing structure will be reviewed periodically by the University with the
service provider however it is expected the service will operate on a commercial basis and will not
be subsidised by the University.
14. Has provision been made for staff communal facilities – common rooms, staff
rooms?
There are staff rooms distributed throughout the academic buildings the location and size of these
rooms have been determined via consultation with, and agreement of, the Colleges.
15. What provision is made for car parking at the second campus?
Parking provision is determined by the Planning process. For Phase 1, 600 parking spaces will be
provided at the Science and Innovation Campus. The number of parking spaces at Singleton will
remain as current therefore there is a net overall increase of 600 spaces.
Staffing
16. What are the proposed plans for services such as security, portering and cleaning?
Does the University intend using staff presently employed in these areas on the second
campus, or will new staff be employed?
The University will consider and seek to ascertain the most effective solution, and consult as
appropriate with staff and the recognised Trades Unions.
17. Related to the above: Does the University intend outsourcing in any of the areas
mentioned?
The University will consider and seek to ascertain the most effective solution, and consult as
appropriate with staff and the recognised Trades Unions.
Relocation
18. Which departments will move to the second campus?
In Phase 1 the College of Engineering and the College of Business and Economics, with the exception
of the School of Law will relocate to the Science and Innovation campus.
19. Is it correct that some part of the College of Science is scheduled to move to the
second campus in Phase 2? If so, which?
Plans for Phase 2 are currently being scoped and nothing has been decided. Over the coming months
and working with the Management Board academic future moves will be assessed together with
administrative and related support.
20. Will provision be made for staff who suffer increased journey costs or increased
child care costs as a result of moving to the new campus?
We are mindful of the issues involved and will be developing a policy in this area. There will be a
regular and frequent bus service between the two campuses
21. Will redeployment be an option for staff whose circumstances would make moving
campus very difficult?
We are mindful of the individual circumstances of members of staff and where possible and
appropriate these will be taken into account.