STUDENTS have given the thumbs-up to designs for a new multi-million-pound college in Ilkeston.
The £10 million Derby College campus will take the place of the Field Road complex, which is to be knocked down and replaced by a Morrisons supermarket.
The new campus, on the site of the town's old magistrates' court in Pimlico, should be open by January 2014.
It will cater for 800 students and 200 staff.
Childcare student Laura Drew, 17, said: "I think the plans look great. It is going to be a big thing for Ilkeston, having a nice, new college building. It will be really good to have a new supermarket as well. I can't wait to see all of the work finished."
Rajdeep Kaur, 18, also a childcare student, said: "The new campus will be brilliant. I am really excited about seeing it in reality.
"The new facilities will be great, because the current college is a bit old now."
Ben Thompson, 17, who is on a painting and decorating course, said: "It is great news that the college is getting a new building. The current one is pretty tired, to be honest." Course-mate Shannon Slater, 18, said: "Ilkeston is going to really benefit from this. The supermarket will bring jobs and the new college campus will be great for students."
Erewash Borough Council has given planning permission for both projects. As well as the new store, a petrol station and 39 new private and social housing homes will be built on the current college site.
College principal Mandie Stravino said: "I'm delighted that the final piece of the jigsaw is complete for securing a fantastic new campus in Ilkeston.
"The multi-million-pound investment in new facilities will enable students to realise their full potential and gain the valuable work and life skills that are so vital in these demanding economic times, both for themselves as individuals and for local employers. It will provide the local community in Ilkeston and the surrounding area with the state-of-the-art facilities that they deserve and brings facilities in this area in line with the multi-million-pound investment in our other sites."
Businesses in the area had voiced concern that the new supermarket would drive trade away from town centre shops.
But some believe that an influx of students to the new college campus will counteract that, according to George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce. He said: "It is our hope that a thriving town- centre campus stimulates a corresponding vibrancy amongst retailers in the locality."
What do you think of the plans? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
