THE centre of Newport could become the heart of learning for the whole of Gwent if a £60 million development between the city's university and Coleg Gwent goes ahead.

The University of South Wales and Coleg Gwent have teamed up to develop plans for a new ‘Knowledge Quarter’ on the banks of the River Usk.

The scheme involves a major development at the university’s city campus and may involve the relocation of Coleg Gwent’s Nash Road campus, with the two institutions sharing space in the new building or buildings.

A University of South Wales spokesman said the organisation hoped it could build on the revitalisation Newport had enjoyed since the opening of Friars Walk last November.

“We’re committed long term to stabilising and then building the university’s presence in the city centre,” he said.

“Our focus and investment has already started to turn the tide and we’re determined to build on the Friars Walk effect for the long-term future of the city.

“It’s not simply about bringing more students into the city in purely economic terms – we want to build for Newport’s educational future too and we want to do that working with our further education college partners and the council.”

Although formal funding arrangements are yet to be put in place, cash is expected to come from the sale of the university’s Caerleon campus, which is to shut down this summer, as well as investment from the Welsh Government and the commercial sector along with the two institutions themselves.

Initial discussions have already been held with Newport City Council and the Welsh Government around the plans, and the wheels are now in motion to develop a full planning application.

A spokesman from Coleg Gwent said: “If we can realise this ambition, students will be able to come in at 16 or as adult learners to a new, state-of-the-art further education college in the centre of the city.

“It will open up their potential progression to higher education, increasing access to studying for degrees and masters qualifications in the same place.

“This is a tremendously exciting potential development, and it’s been done successfully in other cities.

“It’s time for us to be just as ambitious for learners in Gwent.”

Timescales for the plan are currently unclear, but it is likely to take some time for formal plans to be submitted. The potential impact on jobs and student numbers is also not clear.