SMB College Group are delighted to announce that they have successfully secured £2.7million as a part of the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
The funding, initiated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance, has specifically been awarded for the College to make positive environmental changes at their Brooksby Campus, their specialist 850-acre land-based and Sport site.
With a focus on the Brooksby Hall area of the estate, the college will be replacing the current oil-fired district heating system, in addition to the introduction of solar power and upgrades to windows.
Dawn Whitemore, Principal & CEO of SMB College Group said of the award: ‘SMB College Group are delighted to have been awarded £2.7m towards the decarbonisation of our Brooksby Hall site, located in the heart of our specialist land-based Brooksby Campus. The project will replace the current oil-fired district heating system with greener air source to water source heat pumps, and will include the replacement distribution pipework, the addition of solar power to feed the new system, and upgrades to building fabric to improve efficiency.
‘This investment is highly important to the College Group as we continue to work towards becoming more sustainable as an organisation. Our 850-acre estate at Brooksby is already benefiting from some excellent sustainability initiatives, spearheaded by our fantastic lecturers and land-based students – including a regenerative agriculture project and a river restoration project – and this funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is an extremely welcome addition to this. Long term investment strategies such as these by our Government will safeguard the future of our college, ensuring that we can continue developing the skilled workforce our country needs.
‘Sustainability is one of six key values which underpins everything that we do here at SMB College Group, and we are excited to utilise this funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to further our developments in this area.’
Salix Director of Programmes Ian Rodger said: “This innovative project will see the replacement of the old oil-fired system and significantly aims to reduce carbon emissions.
“We are looking forward to joining the SMB College Group in their exciting debarbonisation journey, making the campus a greener place for future generations to study and work.”
SMB College Group offers a variety of courses at both Post-16 and degree level for those who are interested in sustainability, the environment, habitat management, and more, with subjects ranging from Agriculture to Countryside & Environmental Management to Horticulture. Find out more by attending a Brooksby Campus Open Day – there’s still time to apply to start your dream land-based course this September: www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk.