A NEW teaching block and separate sports centre extension facility could be coming to Burnley College if plans are given the green light.

College bosses have submitted an application for the facility on Princess Way on the west side of the River Calder, close to the centre of the existing campus.

In the design and access statement colleges bosses say that a significant growth in the last two years, particularly in engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and construction courses, has meant the existing facilities are now at near capacity.

It reads: “Burnley College is at the heart of the region’s educational establishment, serving more than 8,000 students per year across a wide range of disciplines and skills levels. With high quality existing facilities and accomplished staff, the college has developed an outstanding reputation for the highest quality education, topping the achievement rate tables for further education colleges in the entire country this year.

"The college offers a range of education routes from basic skills development to high level qualifications through A-Levels, degrees, apprenticeships and more. Working closely with local businesses, the college delivers vital training to meet the needs of employers in the area and support the vision and growth ambitions of the Burnley region.

"The college has been growing in student numbers for a number of years, with significant growth in the last two years seeing the existing facilities nearing capacity. With particular growth in local priority areas of engineering, advanced manufacturing, healthcare and construction, as well as general growth in higher level qualifications through A-Levels and degrees, the college is planning to expand its facilities to meet the increased demand.

"The college occupies a key location close to the town centre on a key vehicle route and proposes a development which will have a visual impact and will be a first manifestation of a wider plan for future development, improving the campus facilities and with the potential to strengthen connections between the college and the town.

"The college has been dealing with increasing demand for a wide range of courses. With this success, longer term planning and ambition to increase the delivery of high quality education to the region, the college has concluded that additional accommodation is critical to ensure that growth can be accommodated and the expectation of quality met."

The project is the first phase of a wider plan and concentrates development around the nucleus of existing buildings either side of the Calder and the piazza and college bosses say they aim to deliver additional space to meet predicted demand for 2021.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham praised the move and said the expansion would be good for the area.

He said: “I think it is fantastic news and the national league tables proved that we have got the best college in the country.

“My view is that we need to build on that success and this would do that.

“You cannot stand still and we have to make sure it remains the best for years to come. I would support this move.

“If I can help the college in any way then I will try to do that.

“The college is already attracting students from across Lancashire but with this facility they will do even more, which also benefits the local economy as people will be spending money here.”