Go-ahead for £10.5m college plan

The proposals aim to provide world-class facilities

Students in Cumbria are to benefit after a college was given the go-ahead for a £10.5m redevelopment.

Carlisle College plans to rebuild its current site on Victoria Place.

The Learning & Skills Council's capital committee has approved the college's bid for redevelopment and also provided funding for the project.

College principal Moira Tattersall said: "It is an historic moment for Carlisle College, especially poignant as 2004 is our 50th anniversary."

'Exciting project'

She added: "We now have the opportunity to provide world-class teaching in world-class buildings and we're going to seize it."

The bid was submitted by the college and supported by the Learning and Skills Council Cumbria.

The project is still subject to planning permission and consultation.

Executive director of the LSC Cumbria, Mick Farley, said: "We are delighted to have worked with Carlisle College to secure the LSC's contribution to this exciting and imaginative capital project.

"This is good news for learners in Carlisle, good news for the city and good news for the college."