The college, which has been awarded £2million to develop the centre, is aiming to start construction in spring 2016.

Midweek Herald:

The Axe Valley Community College has been awarded £2million to develop a new arts centre.

The design for the building is based on six state-of-the-art teaching rooms, which include two drama studios, two art studios, a digital art studio and a general-purpose classroom.

The new arts centre will replace a cluster of temporary classrooms, located on the west side of the campus, which runs parallel to Lyme Road.

Devon County Council, which is funding the project through the capital maintenance programme, is currently applying for planning permission.

If successful, construction is estimated to start in spring 2016 with completion the following September.

An additional £500,000 has also been awarded to the college to improve the science and music blocks.

These improvements will include new roofing, windows, heating and flooring.

Headteacher Martin Smith said: “This is an outstanding opportunity for the college.

“The new arts centre will provide inspiring facilities that allow the art and drama departments to expand the range of opportunities available to students.

“The arts at Axe Valley play a key role in our curriculum, with students studying both subjects from year seven.

“These specialised facilities give learners the best opportunities to develop their creative skills, and provide students studying GCSE and A-level access to more technically advanced resources.

“With the acquisition of a new art centre, and with the new artificial grass pitch - due for completion in August - and major upgrades to our science and music blocks, we take another significant step towards achieving our vision of a modern, inspirational campus for learning in the 21st century.

“These improvements represent a capital investment of over £3.5million over a two-year period.”

A public meeting to discuss the new development was due to take place at the college last night (Tuesday, June 30).

All the documents that have been submitted for planning permission are available to view on Devon County Council’s website at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/appref?id=4385&date=2015-06.