The site of a former middle school, which closed more than two years ago, is to get a new lease of life.
Under a deal struck between Suffolk County Council and Lowestoft College, the Lothingland Middle School site in Lound is to be transformed to provide new educational, training and employment opportunities.
It comes after the college's management team decided to explore alternative ways to expand, having recognised that its main campus in St Peter's Street, Lowestoft, offered limited options for developing existing and new courses.
The plan – to be finalised next month – will allow the college to develop its curriculum and to introduce new courses in a range of areas including the construction trades, horticulture.
The sports facilities at the Lothingland site will be used by students on the college's sports and public services courses and in time, the college will look to further develop these and other existing and new courses.
Lowestoft College has strong ties with the local community and offers a broad range of full and part-time courses and apprenticeships. The College has been offering a range of degree level qualifications for many years and, in 2007, it became a part of UCS that has assisted in their development, particularly in engineering, care and art.
The new site will provide a second campus for the College, which will continue to operate from the St Peter's Street location.
The plan meets many of Suffolk County Council's priorities including creating new education and employment opportunities and making better use of community asset such as buildings.
Suffolk County Council's leader, Mark Bee, said: 'This deal has great potential for Lowestoft and will provide a real boost to the local economy and the educational opportunities that are available. This is a clear demonstration of the power of organisations working together towards shared or similar goals.
'I look forward to this project developing and seeing the benefits it will bring to Suffolk.'
Lowestoft College corporation chairman, Richard Perkins, said: 'The college regards this as an exciting opportunity to expand our current provision whilst servicing local employers and the community. We greatly appreciate the involvement of Suffolk County Council in helping to make the next phase of Lowestoft College's development possible and look forward to furthering our partnership with the council.'
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