PLANS to develop a 'knowledge quarter' in Newport remain ‘a priority’, the leader of the city council has said.

The £60-million knowledge quarter plan was unveiled in 2016 and involves a collaboration between Newport City Council, University of South Wales (USW) and Coleg Gwent.

It was listed as a ‘key project’ in Newport City Council’s 2018 city centre masterplan, with the scheme intended to bring “new education facilities along the riverbank”.

But last month questions were raised over the development of a knowledge quarter, after the council submitted plans for a new development - including offices, a hotel, education or a leisure use - on land at Usk Way next to the city campus.

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The knowledge quarter plan involved the relocation of Coleg Gwent’s Nash Road site to the city centre and the “creation of shared facilities to enhance learning and progression to university study”.

It was planned to be “anchored at USW’s riverside campus” – and will see a “major new learning campus expand along the riverbank and surrounding area” – as well as the potential relocation of Coleg Gwent’s Nash Road campus.

Cllr Carmel Townsend, leader of Newport council’s Liberal Democrat group, requested an update on the development in a question to the leader of the council, Cllr Jane Mudd.

“Could she also provide a rationale for the council’s decision to apply for outline planning permission for the plot of land to the south east of the existing USW campus on Usk Way and the impact this could have on the knowledge quarter?” Cllr Townsend said.

Cllr Mudd responded: “The delivery of a knowledge quarter remains a priority and is a key project outlined in the adopted city centre masterplan.

“Officers continue to work with key partners on this complex project, which continues to evolve and a report will be brought to cabinet at the appropriate time.”

Cllr Mudd added that education is one of the proposed uses for the site in Usk Way, but that alternatives such as offices and a hotel were also included to ensure opportunities were “not hampered by a very prescriptive planning permission”.

“The outline application is not considered to prejudice our aspirations for a knowledge quarter,” Cllr Mudd added.