AN EAST Lancashire college will undergo a massive multi-million pound extension after plans were backed by councillors.

The new five-storey building is phase four of Blackburn College’s masterplan.

It includes a new sports hall, and facilities for art and design, media studies, childcare and a cafe.

The building will front onto Montague Street, St Paul’s Street and St Paul’s Gardens, which will be transformed into a “public realm” area.

As part of the plans, which were given the go-ahead by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee last week, outdoor sports pitches and a 448-space car park will also be built.

Last summer two college buildings, including the former IT centre, were demolished to make way for the new development. It will be built next to the £13million higher education building off Barbara Castle Way, which was given planning permission in January and will provide university-level education.

The college’s masterplan, which will also see a vehicle training centre built on Barbara Castle Way, is set to be finished in 2011.

Principal Ian Clinton said: “Our plans to create a world class campus are motoring ahead. Work on the £13million university centre is ahead of schedule and work will start on a new motor vehicle workshop early in the new year.”

For Darwen Coun Phil Jones said: “This will be a good thing for the whole borough. I was at Blackburn College once and I wish there were things like this in my day.”

The development is the latest in further education in East Lancashire. Burnley College’s new £81million campus is set to open next year and will offer a wide range of vocational courses. Last week it was revealed that Accrington was on the shortlist for the creation of a new university.