A LEADING north-east college is in line for a multimillion-pound makeover.
Plans are being drawn up to revamp Banff and Buchan College’s main campus at Fraserburgh.
Bosses say the 40-year-old building is starting to show its age and is not able to cope with the growing student population.
Next week, the college will unveil its plans for redevelopment to the public. The college has already submitted a blueprint for the estate to the Scottish Funding Council and has asked for its support.
The proposal is due to be considered by the authority in April.
If it gets the go-ahead, work could begin in June 2010 and will take around 18 months to complete.
The overhaul of the building will include new learning areas for students and work space for staff.
Principal Robert Sinclair said last night: “Our estates strategy has worked well for us up to now and the building has been well managed.
“Unfortunately, it is no longer suitable for the numbers of learners that we have or the type and variety of learning that we want to provide.
“What we need is a fundamental redesign of the building.”
He added: “This is an exciting scheme for us. A refurbished college presents many more opportunities for our students and supports our ambitious plans for the future.
“To ensure that the new campus meets the needs of as many interested parties as possible, we are committed to a wider consultation and look forward to discussing our plans at this open event.”
The proposal will go on public display for the first time in the campus lecture theatre on Wednesday from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
The college has other campuses at Ellon, Peterhead, Huntly and Macduff.
Last week, the college teamed up with Aberdeen University to give thousands of students the chance to gain a university degree.