A ‘very exciting proposition’ was put to Bexley Council this week that would see a new education campus constructed in Thamesmead.

Plans for a huge “world class centre of excellence” for learning and research, called the Place and Making Institute were welcomed by councillors at Bexley Council’s Cabinet last Tuesday.

The project is hoped to facilitate other plans for new homes and regeneration projects in Thamesmead, Bexley and the South East.

The Place and Making Institute would be a single campus built in phases to provide courses from entry level to level 7, which is the equivalent of a masters.

The campus would offer courses on modern construction and modern developments for the capital.

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In a report given to the council's cabinet, the campus would also have “a potential business village of incubators, modular construction facilities and workshops could be co-located on the site or locally, and would build on the already established offer at the Thames Innovation Centre.”

The campus would be developed by the council with Peadbody and London South East Colleges.

Jane Richardson, assistant chief executive for growth and regeneration, said at the meeting: “The vision we are progressing with core partners is to create something unique and world class.

“The concept is for a campus to provide complementary courses from entry level to level 7.”

Speaking at the meeting the leader of the council, Teresa O’Neill OBE, said: “This is a really exciting prospect for our borough.

“One of the very few being planned in London, we have a track record for growing our own and a track record for creating opportunities for growing opportunities for our young people.”

The campus will offer opportunity for young people and for people looking to retrain to enter the industry.

A report published by the Government in 2016 highlights concerns for the construction industry, forecasting a 20-25 per cent decline in the available labour force within a decade.”

Job growth in Bexley is expected to rise by 1,343 in the construction industry by 2024, a 30 per cent increase.

A more detailed plan will be published later in the year.