A Workington Technical College is to undergo extensive expansions after the borough council gave proposals the green light.

Under a vision outlined to Allerdale Borough Council , Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) will look to add a range of new facilities including large new build teaching accommodation and six new external teaching and work bays.

Furthermore, plans also include provision for a new sports pitch and changing pavilion, with new pedestrian crossing to be set out at nearby Jubilee Road, connecting the two sites.

Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) currently provides academic, practical and technical education for pupils aged between 14 and 19 years old. UTC opened in September 2014 and delivers academic and technical engineering education and training on-site and within nearby premises.

In planning documents, the applicant states that the decision to expand the on-site facilities has come due to the fact that an off-site building which has been in use is coming to the end of its lease.

Plans state: "The existing building on site provides classroom accommodation primarily for academic studies, whilst the vocational provision is catered for off-site, at the nearby Gen2 building, on Blackwood Road.

"This site offered a range of workshops to lease, including heavy machinery, electronics, brickwork and engineering. The vocational training comprises 40% of the student’s teaching at the UTC.

"Given that the UTC’s lease on this off-site provision is due to expire, it has been considered necessary to develop the current development proposals to enable this important vocational training to be provided on-site."

Plans for the new sports facility will also be delivered in line with Sports England's appraisals.

The applicant confirms: "The new playing field and associated sports pitch will be of better quantity and quality than the current provision on site. As such, the proposals represent high-quality educational and sports provision that will ensure the sustainable future of the college."

Plans also outline that new jobs will be in the offing as a result of the development: "There are currently 60 no. members of staff in total,which will increase by 10 as a result of the development."

It is not proposed that the development will result in any increase in student numbers above the existing capacity. There are currently 359 no. students, with the capacity to accommodate 480 no. students in total.