BOLD plans are being drawn up to create a new home for Newton Rigg College.

Executives have confirmed that a feasibility study is underway for a new state-of-the-art campus for Newton Rigg College, near Penrith.

The capital finance for the creation of a purpose-built centre - running into millions of pounds - would be achieved by releasing the existing 12 hectare campus site for housing and other associated uses.

Acting Chief Executive, Dr Tim Whitaker told The Cumberland News:“It is very early days, but this has the potential to be the most exciting chapter in the history of Newton Rigg since it was formed in 1896. Eden District Council, working with One Public Estate, appreciate the importance of the College to the district and the county as a whole, and are supporting us in carrying out a high level feasibility study and viability appraisal which will look at development of the campus.”

“Our vision is to create a new campus on our land close to the existing site which has sustainability and environmentally friendly facilities at its heart. This, coupled with the very latest technology for student learning, would be transformational, enhancing and extending educational opportunities for people in the region and beyond.”

The feasibility study is expected to be back before the end of the year with a key part stating there will be no interruption to student studies with the existing campus being used until the new site is ready.

The study will also be looking at exploring other funding opportunities.

Askham Bryan College has around 5,000 full and part-time students, including apprentices, across sites in the North East, Cumbria, West Yorkshire and its main campus in York. Agriculture and land management are its main focus, offering full time courses from foundation learning through to degree level, and part-time short course training for career development or simply personal interest.

As well as land-based courses, the college offers further education in sport, hairdressing and beauty therapy, childhood studies and health and social care.

Askham Bryan acquired Newton Rigg College in 2011 and has restored its farming heritage through investing in its outdated facilities, introducing new courses and increasing student numbers.

Over the last nine years there has been substantial investment in Newton Rigg including the £2.4m dairy unit at the college’s Sewborwens Farm opened in 2014, and a £450,000 sheep husbandry centre at its hill farm which followed in 2017.

There has also been significant growth in student numbers which have risen by 20 per cent since Askham Bryan took over. These have increased from 987 to 1,183 for the coming academic year, with subjects ranging from pure agriculture through to horticulture, equine management, gamekeeping and animal management.

Dr Whitaker added: “Many of the existing campus buildings on the site are outdated and costly to maintain. The original farmhouse around which the existing campus was developed is listed (Grade 2) and would look to be maintained, and, if the study proves positive, we would encourage our existing tenants to continue to be part of our new centre.”

The college has 184 hectares close to the campus at Newton Rigg, together with a green field site at the college’s Sewborwens Farm, and a further 168 hecares at its Low Beckside Farm at Mungrisdale. It also has access to a 5,000 acre grouse moor.