Exmouth Community College pupils are set to benefit from a major new building costing around £15million.

Exmouth Journal: Exmouth Community College's Green Close site, with the area designated for redevelopment outlined in red.Exmouth Community College's Green Close site, with the area designated for redevelopment outlined in red. (Image: Archant)

The work will see the demolition of a large two-storey building at the north end of the college’s Green Close site, currently home to around 20 classrooms, two halls, a gym, library, computer rooms and reception area.

In its place will be the new building, featuring teaching facilities which the college says will take into account curriculum demands and the types of specialist classrooms required.

Work will begin next year and take around 18 months to complete.

Principal Tony Alexander said the college could now proceed with the work, having successfully argued for a brand-new building to be built, rather than having the existing building refurbished.

Mr Alexander said: “I’m delighted that in 2018 the present humanities block will be demolished and replaced with a brand-new building.

“I am grateful to my premises team, who have stuck with me through four years of discussions with the authorities to avoid refurbishment and insist on this magnificent replacement.”

Funding for the new building was allocated by the Government’s Education Funding Agency.

Mr Alexander added: “We are very grateful to them and to Devon County Council for their wholehearted support.”

The college also hopes to add further new facilities on its Gipsy Lane site, with a second new classroom block, costing £2.8million, next to the maths block, which opened in November 2016.

Mr Alexander said a final decision on this would be taken by the county council in September, but he was ‘very hopeful’ of approval.

The college is also seeking £2.5million from the Government’s Soft Drinks Industry Levy, which it hopes to spend on extending its sports hall.

The planned new developments are in addition to work to improve the fabric, safety, roofing and heating of the majority of the college’s buildings, paid for with grants of more than £2.7million since 2010.

A college spokesperson added that the developments were all due to the successful pursuit of grants and support, and that the amount spent on students’ education had not been affected.