Work to start finally on £14m college after hold-up lasting years

The four-storey building, which will be home to the East Riding College, will form part of the wider Flemingate redevelopment project and will open next September.

It follows the granting of planning permission for 36 houses at the college’s Gallows Lane site, which is to be sold off to help fund the new building.

Work will begin later this month on the building, which will feature the latest in teaching and learning technologies and a range of “green” elements to make it environmentally friendly.

The cost is being split between the college, together with a £2m capital grant from the Skills Funding Agency and £1m from the European Regional Development Fund.

Principal Derek Branton said: “We are all delighted that our new Beverley campus has now become a reality and we look forward to welcoming the first students to the building in 2015.

“The new campus will have a hugely positive impact on education and training in Beverley and further afield as we work with young people, adults and employers to develop skills across the region.”

The college says its new location on Flemingate means it is perfectly placed for students travelling by bus and train, and later those who use the proposed park and ride on the southern relief road.”

As well as 30 teaching rooms with specialist IT facilities there will be a large Learning Resource Centre with access to a wide range of digital and printed reference materials.

It will include industry standard hairdressing and beauty therapy salons, a restaurant and a travel agency, which will provide realistic training facilities and be open to paying members of the public.

Chairman of Governors Richard Lacey said: “The development of our new Beverley campus is a real boost for education and skills in the region, and we can’t wait to take our place in this exciting new development in Flemingate. The benefits will be felt by students of all ages and by employers across sectors as we continue to develop the skills base in the region.”