A MULTI-MILLION pound investment programme for Nantwich's Reaseheath College has been given the green light from council chiefs.

Three separate applications to improve and expand the agricultural college have been approved by planning bosses, with a fourth element to follow later this month.

Speaking at the college's graduation ceremony on Friday, principal Meredydd David said: "This excellent news will allow the college to progress the final steps of the approval process with the Learning and Skills Council.

"The development is planned to commence in the autumn, enabling next year's learners to benefit from facilities of an even higher standard than they enjoy at present."

The three-year building programme will include a covered riding arena, a purpose built animal management centre and new construction workshops.

It will further include enhanced training facilities, a new learning resource centre, a new IT teaching centre, new hostels and catering facilities.

Meredydd David said the enhanced facilities would cater for continued growth in student numbers and meet increasing needs of learners, communities and industries.

These include partnerships with local schools, with around 300 pupils receiving vocational training at Reaseheath, and national training programmes for companies such as the National Trust and JCB.

Reaseheath's increasingly important role in helping rural communities to prosper has also continued to expand through its rural business and advice centre, which is being funded to the tune of £1.2 million by the North West Development Agency.

A council planning spokesman said: "The construction workshop will house two small workshops/classrooms with the main storage space providing accommodation for the student's masonry projects.

"This particular element is being re-housed from the nearby block, freeing up this space for a joinery workshop.

"In addition there will be a tool store, a couple of WCs and a plant room."

The IT centre will provide seven classrooms, offices and an open learning centre, while the animal care facility will provide two classrooms, two grooming rooms, a hydrotherapy room, nursing room, locker room, toilets and an office.

In support of the development a college spokesman added: "The applications represent a critical step in the future redevelopment of the campus.

"The objective is to provide Reaseheath with a modern suitable environment for the provision of educational services into the 21st century."

Councillors approved the applications at a meeting of the Development Control Committee in Crewe last week.