City college campus given backing

The redevelopment will be in two stages to be completed by 2015

A £173m scheme to redevelop the student campus at City College in Norwich has been given outline planning permission.

The proposals will see the present buildings demolished to make way for a new college - to be completed by 2015.

The plan, approved by Norwich City Council, is to provide places for up to 20,000 students.

College principal Dick Palmer welcomed the decision. "I am thrilled for Norwich and for our next generation of students," he said.

Mr Palmer said: "We want the campus to be something the local community can look on with pride - and I believe that it will be a real flagship for Norwich and Norfolk.

'Green technology'

"It is essential that we can develop our campus to create modern learning environments to inspire and motivate our students."

The project will be completed in two phases. The first, which will begin in 2009, will see the current sixth form centre and the halls of residence demolished.

These will be replaced by new buildings housing the School of Technology, the School of Creative Arts and the School of Hair, Beauty and Leisure Industries.

In addition a new partly underground car park will be built at the back of the site and an energy centre to make the best use of "green technology", said a spokesman for the college.

In the second phase, from 2013, a new Hotel School will be built with a hotel and restaurant open to the public, together with a new building housing the School of Health, Social Care and Early Education.

The project will also include a theatre, swimming pool and gym which will be open to the public.