There's a major construction project on the way in Co Londonderry with news that the Northern Regional College (NRC) is planning to build a new college in Coleraine.

According to a new consultation document outlining NRC plans up to 2016, the Coleraine and Ballymoney campuses will be replaced by one central college in Coleraine - with employment for hundreds of building workers as the project kicks-off.

The college has already submitted a five-year business improvement plan to the Department for Employment and Learning after reports commissioned in 2007 and 2009 raised concerns about its financial sustainability.

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Meetings have already taken place to inform staff and trade unions of the proposals. Discussions with external stakeholders are due to begin and the consultation period runs until late July.

The 11-campus college which currently accommodates 20,000 full and part-time students also proposes to enhance its currently close links with industry providing employee training, manufacturing consultancy and increased opportunities for apprentices.

NRC Director Trevor Neilands said: "By 2016 we propose to have purpose-built accommodation and upgraded services to support our learners, with the stability we require to grow the excellent relations we currently enjoy with the education, business and community sectors."

(BMcC/GK)