University worth '£1.5m a week'

Ipswich Docks has been suggested a possible site for a campus

The absence of a university in Suffolk is estimated to be costing the local economy up to £1.5m a week.

Suffolk County Council has revealed its consultants estimated in 1995 that the lack of a university was costing about a £1m a week.

Further estimates have placed this figure nearer £1.5m a week in 2003 - money made up by student spending, new jobs and facilities and the ability to attract new businesses to the area.

The figures were revealed ahead of a meeting on Thursday 6 November in which the county council will try and move forward plans to bring higher education to Suffolk.

Exodus of talent

The report states: "Suffolk as a whole is currently placed at a significant disadvantage due to the absence of a university.

"This has contributed to reduced aspirations for learning, an exodus of our indigenous talent and lost investment opportunities which collectively have adverse social, cultural and economic implications."

It is hoped a new university would have a central campus in Ipswich with a number of satellite centres in rural areas.

Suffolk College, Essex University and the University of East Anglia have all been involved in the scheme which the county hopes will persuade more young people to live in Suffolk.

The county council hopes to have a Suffolk university up and running in about four years time.