THIS is the first look at Blackburn College's proposed £13million higher education building, which will bring 500 more degree students to town.

The college has unveiled the second phase of its £38million plan to become a "world-class campus".

It will see a £13million, five-storey Higher Education (HE) building on a one-acre site - currently a long-stay car park - between Barbara Castle Way and the current college campus.

The centre would replace the current HE facility in Duke Street, and offer the same full range of courses.

Blackburn with Darwen planning councillors are set to discuss the application for the development on Thursday.

If approval is given, as officers have recommended, building work is expected to start in the new year with completion in summer 2009, in readiness for an anticipated 30per cent rise in student numbers - more than 500 new higher education students are expected to enrol within the next three years.

Architect Alistair Weir, from Manchester's Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, who has led the design development, said: "The new building has three main elements, including a curved teaching block running alongside Barbara Castle Way, an administration block facing the campus, and a glazed atrium linking them both.

"The building is being designed to give a 'distinctive' edge to the main highway and will incorporate landscaped areas.

"The new energy-efficient HE block will include rainwater harvesting and solar water heating and is expected to become a landmark for the campus."

The new building has been funded by the college, plus £4million from the Higher Education Funding Council.

The project will follow the completion of the first phase of the masterplan - the £8.8million St Paul's Centre, housing the sixth form and IT department, was opened last month.

Blackburn College is an associate college of Lancaster University, one of a number of universities to award degrees to Blackburn College students.

Principal Ian Clinton said: "It's all about partnership and giving our students a true university-style experience locally, on their own doorstep.

"It is an ambitious scheme, but we believe this will help put Blackburn College well and truly on the map"