A NELSON and Colne College campus is to be turned into a £10million housing estate.

Dozens of new homes and 30 apartments are set to be created at the college's Colne campus in a scheme put forward by Nelson-based developer Barnfield Construction.

The college is already working with the family-run firm on a £16million overhaul of its main Nelson campus, creating a one-site college.

That has paved the way for the transformation of the Colne site, which will no longer be needed by the college.

College principal Dr Alison Birkinshaw said: "We believe the partnership we have developed with Barnfield will bring positives on both sides. We are developing first-class facilities and bringing housing in an area that's already built-up.

"This meets local needs and allows us, with the sale of the Barrowford Road site, to provide an exciting opportunity to fund the prestigious new build for the college.

"We look forward to the outstanding facilities that this will bring to match our outstanding teaching and learning."

The sale of the site is subject to the college obtaining approval from the Learning and Skills Council for a one-site operation at the Reedyford Campus, which it expects to do.

If permission is granted, work at the former Colne Grammar School, which already has outline planning consent, should start in April.

The project will involve the creation of approximately 30 apartments in the main building and around 32 new houses to the rear.

College bosses have vowed to keep the Barrowford Road site operational until work is completed at the Nelson base. The playing fields at the front will be retained.

A revised planning application for the Reedyford project, based in Scotland Road, Nelson, was submitted in early December after highways chiefs said there were major problems with access.

The plan includes a new three-storey building fronting Scotland Road with kitchens, a theatre, art studio, music, computer rooms and a beauty salon.

An engineering block and kitchen would also be demolished for a sports hall and computer suite, more parking and an all-weather sports pitch.

Tim Webber, managing director of Barnfield, said the apartments would be one and two-bedroomed while the homes range from three to five bedrooms.

He said: "This is a landmark building . It will be a prestigious and secure development and we look forward to providing an interesting scheme in partnership with the college."

Dr Birkinshaw was involved in a campaign against plans to build a new housing estate on fields in Windermere Avenue, Colne, a few years ago.

But she said the college development is totally different to the one she fought against in 2000.

She said: "There's considerable difference between the two. The Windermere Avenue application was on a greenfield site and wasn't thought through. It didn't meet need and removed facilities from local people.

"This is on land that's already broken out of the green-belt footprint of the existing development.

"It will allow the college to make a fantastic contribution to education in the locality bringing educational provision onto one site which will provide huge benefits for thousands of Pendle residents."