PLANS to knock down Accrington and Rossendale College’s main cafeteria and student hub have been lodged.

College bosses have submitted proposals to Hyndburn Council’s planning department detailing the demolition of the Coppice building, which also houses the hair and media make-up salons.

Lizzie McHugh, of Ellis Williams Architects, said: "Following demolition of Coppice building the existing external platform lift will need to be replaced.

"The new lift will need to allow access from the road level and will rise up to existing higher level."

The college merged with Nelson and Colne College earlier this year after a drawn out review and consultation process.

Principal Amanda Melton said the merger had been needed because Accrington and Rossendale College had accrued significant debts as well as a fall in income, then bosses tried to spend their way out of the problem.

She added the college was now on a more secure financial footing but there was still a substantial pension deficit.

Earlier this year, Ms Melton told Hyndburn Council cabinet members £3.5 million in funding had been secured from central government as well as a further £500,000 from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and it was hoped the project would be completed by the end of March 2021.

She said: "Nelson and Colne is the highest performing college in the country. It is an extremely successful institution and the college in Accrington and Rossendale will be at that level in two years’ time.

“We are going to be dropping the Coppice building to address some of the occupancy issues but we are investing a significant amount of money and there will be more further down the line in bringing the college up to the standard where people want to go to it.

“There will be a package of works and we are moving the central office for staff from Nelson to Hyndburn.

“I am absolutely convinced the college is going to grow and thrive.”