A bid to put the science and tech campus of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS) up for sale has culminated today in a £10m-plus deal with a key partner of Rolls Royce.

As reported in Punchline-Gloucester.com, SGS embarked last September on the sale of its flagship facility at Berkeley Green, which was set up in 2016. Today's resulting decision comes in the wake of a significant visit to the site by the government's Great British Nuclear (GBN) organisation, which earmarked Berkeley as a key centre for science and research in the next chapter for the UK's nuclear power investment.

Subject to due diligence, the sale, announced today, is set to complete on or before July 2024. In its details, the strategic disposal of the site will go to Chiltern Vital Group (CVG), which emerged as the preferred bidder. CVG is a leading UK project creator and developer in the zero-carbon energy, digital education and technology sectors. It has an existing project portfolio in excess of £1bn and, SGS says, the move will enable "significant commercial investment into this campus in order to provide significant economic opportunities to the sub-region".

As a significant shareholder in CVG, Vital Energi is a leading UK player in the zero-carbon energy space, which includes the decarbonising and re-use of waste heat.

Kevin Hamblin, CEO of SGS College Group, said the move, which exceeds £10m, from this energy consortium is set to create a partnership that embodies a mutual commitment to spearheading innovations in nuclear technology.

He said: "This collaboration would be pivotal for SGS College, as it ensures the ongoing role of the College at SGS Berkeley as a key educational partner, providing tailored training and research opportunities in line with the ground-breaking advancements championed by the consortium. The sale would mark a significant milestone in the College's history, promising to create a new era of energy innovation and educational excellence in the region."

CVG is now working with Rolls Royce Small Modular Reactors and the University of Bristol to establish a low-carbon energy "super cluster" at Berkeley/Oldbury that would greatly facilitate the future deployment of SMR's and related technologies. Specifically for Berkeley, CVG says its plans include an increasingly important role for SGS College and the on-site SGS Berkeley Green UTC.

As the vice-chair of the Western Gateway and leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Mark Hawthorne welcomed the news.

Cllr Hawthorne said: "It's great to see our vision for a Severn Edge low carbon energy campus at Berkeley and Oldbury moving one step closer with this nuclear innovation opportunity.

"The Western Gateway brings together the great business, academia and local leaders we have across South Wales and Western England to build on our potential to unleash world leading innovation and create economic growth."

He added that the creation of new, green employment along Severn Edge sites would present both jobs and skills opportunities for local communities while also providing the low-carbon energy needed to power the economy.

He said: "I look forward to working with the consortium as we continue to make the case for this area to lead a clean energy revolution for the country."

Chris Turner, CEO of CVG, said selection as the preferred bidder was great news.

He said: "We are very honoured to have been selected by SGS College as the preferred bidder to deliver this international advanced zero carbon /nuclear technology park for training, FE & HE education, research and development, and applications testing.

"The project also represents the first step in the creation of a Severn Edge (Berkeley/Oldbury) zero carbon axis, embracing a wide range of advanced technologies, including the potential for deployment of new nuclear generation technology such as SMRs at Oldbury."

He was pleased that the Western Gateway partnership had acknowledged CVG's proposal as complementary to their work leading the Severn Edge project with the support of landowners and local authorities: "This initiative can only serve to attract more high technology inward investment and create a wide range of sustainable, long term, skilled jobs in the region."

Alan Woods, Rolls-Royce's SMR strategy and business development director, said: "Berkeley has played a varied and important role throughout the history of the UK's nuclear industry and Rolls-Royce SMR welcomes the intent to redevelop Berkeley Campus as a hub for nuclear skills and innovation. This kind of commitment, to building future nuclear skills across all levels of education, will support the roll-out of Rolls-Royce SMRs across the UK and beyond.

Tom Scott, director of SW Nuclear Hub agreed: "The announcement of CVG Group's potential purchase of the Berkeley Science Park site, next to the old Magnox reactor site, is hugely exciting. I truly believe this site is the obvious location for a national campus for nuclear innovation and advanced energy technologies.

"This site was historically a focal point for nuclear research and innovation and I think it is wonderfully cyclical that the next generation of nuclear technology could be developed on the same site. It has all the ingredients necessary to become an internationally leading hub for training, research and innovation which attracts researchers, technologists and developers from around the world, including the development and export of the Rolls-Royce SMR."

He added: "I would hope this science park also becomes the home for the UK's first research reactor in a generation - it is certainly needed for both training and research and would provide us with a capability equivalent to our international partners and competitors around the world."

Punchline-Gloucester.com understands that the University Technical College (UTC) at Berkeley, sponsored by SGS College and now with nearly 400 students, will maintain its operations amid this transition and "for the long-term future". 

A spokesperson added: "This ensures the continuation of high-quality education in engineering and digital technologies. The presence of the UTC at Berkeley is crucial for fostering future talent and aligns with the region's growing focus on technology and nuclear energy sectors. As the site evolves, the UTC remains a steadfast hub for skill development and learning for the next generation."

Punchline-Gloucester.com says: "What a way to kick off the week's news! Today's agreement with CVG will deliver real employment and skills opportunities for Gloucestershire. And as we look to the horizon and our county's importance on the UK map, the (re)planting of a flag for nuclear innovation at Berkeley signals that we are frontrunners in the search for green energy solutions. What's your view on today's deal? Share your thoughts with editor Mark Owen at news@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk.