PLANS to create a new multi-million building which will ‘redefine’ Blackburn College were given the green light last night despite concerns being raised about its design.

Between £13 and £16 million will be spent creating a new ‘core building’ on wasteland and a car park between St Paul’s Street and Nab Lane.

College bosses say the development will be part of the ‘world class’ campus it is looking to create, but questions have been raised over building materials, including an idea to use blue patent stainless steel in some sections.

The design has been criticised by some councillors.

At a Planning and Highways Committee meeting in Blackburn Town Hall last night, Councillor Andy Kay said: “The design of it I don’t like at all.

“It looks like rubbish brick or tiles we got shut of on the shopping centre.”

The five-storey 8,678sqm development will include classrooms and exhibition space.

Plans had to be scaled down last year when the college was forced to find alternative funding after the Learning Skills Council announced cuts.

Ian Clinton, college principal, said: “The college and our design teams are delighted about receiving approval for the new proposals.

“This approval means the college can move forward with its next phase in improving the facilities started in 2005.

“We are excited for work to begin on clearing the site later in June and for construction of the building to start in September.”

College bosses hope that the building will provide “a clear landmark to redefine the campus which could potentially be considered to be rather fragmented at present”.

It follows a new 6th form centre, computing and IT suite in the St Paul’s Centre and a University Centre, off Barbara Castle Way, which opened in September.