Gloucestershire College aim to achieve net zero by 2030 – with help from HCR
17 December 2021
Gloucestershire College has made a commitment to being carbon zero by 2030. They’re the first college in the country to aim to deliver net zero by 2030 and operate responsibly across their three campuses – and they want to be 20 years ahead of the government’s commitment to 2050.
In order to achieve this phenomenal goal, GlosCol came to HCR for sound legal advice and support on their net zero journey. It required a number of teams to come together to achieve a positive result for the college. Members of our banking, construction, property and education teams advised throughout the process.
Emma Swann and Coral Peutrill advised GlosCol on the terms of its existing funding agreement to ensure the college was complying with its obligations to the ESFA – the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Emma said: “We were thrilled to be able to help GlosCol in their journey to net zero – this included reviewing the grant offer letter to ensure that everything necessary was obtained to allow this exciting project to proceed.”
Our engineering and construction department, who have previously worked on large development projects with the University of Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire College, worked with the project team to quickly put in place all of the design and build contracts including an unusual procurement route to reflect the specialist bespoke works.
Harry Bengough, head of the banking and finance team, assisted with the college’s funding for the project. He said: “Our banking team advised on the college’s debt funding arrangements and security in order to help push the project through.”
The college secured the £4.8m retrofit funding in part due to the £2.8m government grant as part of the public sector decarbonisation scheme.
These changes will make a lasting impact to the environment, and HCR are delighted to have been part of GlosCol’s project to become carbon zero.