DEMOLITION work at the former university campus in Caerleon is progressing well.

Just weeks ago, demolition work at Caerleon Campus started, as part of plans to build hundreds of homes on the site.

This week, new pictures, taken by South Wales Argus Camera Club member Steve Binns show how the work is progressing.

At this time, huge chunks are being taken out of the Rathmell Building, which is one of many buildings being knocked down, to be replaced by 220 homes.

It is believed that only the listed buildings, including the iconic main building – which is a key filming location in Netflix show Sex Education, are being retained.

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Despite its striking art deco look, the Rathmell Building has no listed status, and looks set to be consigned to the history books shortly.

The former arts and design building, it opened in 1985, and was unique in that it made use of steel and glass – making for a striking sight on the edge of the campus.

To some extent, it is still a sight to see – as heavy machinery can be seen from a distance, pulling it apart.

While demolition continues here, it appears as though work to building the first of the houses is well underway on another section of the site.

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How did we get here?

In 2016, the University of Wales, Newport, and the University of Glamorgan merged, creating the University of South Wales.

But, as part of this union, the Caerleon campus closed its doors.

This marked the end of an era for the campus, which first opened as a teaching college in 1914 - then called Monmouthshire Training College.

South Wales Argus: The work can be seen from afar (Credit: Steve Binns)The work can be seen from afar (Credit: Steve Binns)

Following the closure, the site has been used by production Eleven Films, and since 2018, Sex Education has been filmed here.

In the background, a longer term plan for the site was sought, and it was eventually sold by the University of South Wales to Redrow Homes for £6.2 million.

Despite objections by local residents, plans to build 220 homes here were given the green light.

South Wales Argus: It appears as though some of the new homes are progressing well, too (Credit: Steve Binns)It appears as though some of the new homes are progressing well, too (Credit: Steve Binns)

This will consist of houses, and apartments.

The frontage of the Edwardian main building will be retained and incorporated into the scheme – believed to be where apartments will be located.