AN AMBITIOUS multi-million- pound improvement project has been unveiled for a Hampshire college.

Fareham College has unveiled its £14m plan to transform its main campus on the Bishopsfield Road site.

The project will see the installation of a new digital industries studio, construction workshops including plumbing, carpentry and brickwork, generously lit new art studios, a sports centre that will boast a new fitness suite and sports science laboratory, plus science laboratories, hair and beauty studios, music and performance studios and general teaching spaces.

The initial plans have been subject to consultation but now they have been formally submitted to Fareham Borough Council for approval.

These artists impressions show how the campus will look should the plans get the green light.

Peter Marsh, Deputy Principal of Fareham College said: “These plans will provide learners at our main campus with new facilities to match those available at our brand new CEMAST site at Daedalus. We are proud to be the number one vocational college in Hampshire and we are determined that our learners will gain the industry standard skills they need in state of the art commercial studios, workshops and laboratories.”

The plans come hot on the heels of the college’s CEMAST project – that will become a centre of excellence for engineering – which is currently under construction Mr Marsh added: “The works include 2,000 sqm of new building and 6,000m2 of refurbishment – that’s twice as much space as the new CEMAST centre, which will open to new learners in September 2014. With applications for full time courses at CEMAST exceeding our expectations we are delighted to unveil plans for the next phase of development hot on its heels.”

“We are very grateful for the extensive feedback we had on our draft plans and have been able to make amendments to some of the proposed housing layouts and access arrangements as a result.

“We’ve also simplified the design of the educational buildings to produce a very modern, clean look to our site facing the Avenue.

“The result creates a courtyard of commercial learning activity that sets us on course to provide a truly outstanding learning environment in the heart of Fareham.”

Subject to gaining planning permission, work will start at the Bishopsfield Campus next June with the transformation due to complete in the summer 2015. During 2014/15 teaching will continue unaffected by the building works as the development will be managed in two phases.