The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has approved plans for construction schemes at 12 further education institutions across the UK as part of a drive to improve college facilities.

Developments at Hartlepool College of Further Education (HCFE); Tresham College of Further and Higher Education in Corby and Bournville College in Birmingham have all received the green light from the LSC. A new £51.6m complex designed by architects Bond Bryan will be built at HCFE to include new conference facilities, a fitness suite, a bistro and hair and beauty salons, which will be made available for public use, as well as workshops and technical areas for teaching.

Meanwhile, a £66m campus at Bournville College is to form part of a wider £750m scheme to revitalise the former Longbridge factory site in Birmingham and act as a catalyst for further regeneration of the community. Other institutions that have received the go-ahead include Barnsley College; Furness College, Cumbria; Kirklees College, Yorkshire; Leyton Sixth Form College and South Thames College in London and West Cheshire College.

St Helens College; North West Kent College and Sandwell College in the West Midlands have also been given the green light, while a 13th scheme - the development of Skelmersdale and Ormskirk College in Lancashire will also receive LSC support.