Castlereagh Campus Consultation
We are seeking views on the proposed closure of our Castlereagh Campus at Montgomery Road. Please respond to the consultation by Friday 16 February 2024.
Consultation on the proposed closure of Castlereagh Campus, Montgomery Road
We are seeking the views of a wide range of stakeholders on the proposed closure of the College’s Castlereagh Campus at Montgomery Road, Castlereagh, Belfast, BT6 9JD.
The consultation period will extend from Monday 13 November 2023 to Friday 16 February 2024. During this period all stakeholders are invited to comment on the consultative proposal.
Throughout the consultation phase, arrangements have been made for college representatives to meet with staff, students, political representatives and other interested parties through a series of briefings.
A face-to-face public consultation event for interested parties including the community and voluntary sector, local authorities, local businesses and residents, educational institutions, and others will also take place on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at 4.00pm. This meeting will be held in the Castlereagh Campus Gymnasium. Anyone wishing to attend this meeting is invited to do so.
The Proposal
What is the proposal about?
The central element of this proposal is to consult on the closure of the College’s Castlereagh Campus and consolidate curriculum provision onto the existing campuses in Titanic Quarter and Millfield, with non-teaching staff provision moving to the Springvale campus.
In doing so, the College will provide its staff and students with equity of provision on campuses that are stimulating, fit-for-purpose, sustainable, and equipped to meet the needs of teaching and learning in support of the Department for the Economy’s 10X Strategy.
Why is this proposal being considered now?
Recently, the College’s Governing Body (volunteer members who are appointed by the Minister for the Economy and are responsible for the strategic oversight of the College) was presented with a range of options relating to the future of our Castlereagh Campus. These options were presented because a recent survey found the Campus requires major repair or replacement, and that to carry out such work will cost some £10M.
When considering these options, the Governing Body also considered several other important factors, including recent large cuts to our college budget, a trend of lower student numbers, the need to ensure our students and staff enjoy the same standard of facilities for teaching and learning across all our campuses, and the need to ensure the sustainability of the wider College.
12-week consultation
After considering all those factors, the Governing Body decided to launch a 12-week consultation process on a proposal to close the Castlereagh Campus.
You can view the proposal documentation and supporting information below:
How you can give your views
The consultation period runs from 13 November 2023 to 16 February 2024.
You can give your views by:
- Completing this Online Survey.
- Emailing the College at consultation[AT]belfastmet[DOT]ac[DOT]uk.
- Attending a public meeting for all interested parties on Tuesday 12 December 2023 from 4pm to 5pm. This meeting will be held in the Castlereagh Campus Gymnasium.
All comments on the proposal must be received by 16 February 2024, or they cannot be considered.
If you need this information in a different format, or you would like help to complete the online survey please contact us at consultation[AT]belfastmet[DOT]ac[DOT]uk
Please submit only one response per person to this consultation.
The information provided in this document is intended to be sufficient for the College to form a view on the proposal. Belfast Met will consider all views and concerns raised during the consultation period before making a decision on whether to proceed with the proposal.
Following the consultation period, a report on the outcome of the consultation, including comments submitted, will be published on the College website.
Please respond to the consultation by Friday 16 February 2024.
Key Dates
13 November 2023
Consultation opens on Monday 13 November 2023.
12 December 2023
Public consultation meeting on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at Castlereagh Campus from 4pm – 5pm.
16 February 2024
Consultation closes on Friday 16 February 2024.