PLANS for a new £80million college campus in Thurrock have been shelved.

College bosses had applied for funding through the Learning and Skills Council, but were told it was not possible.

The college, currently based in a temporary £4.4million building on High Street, Grays, is working towards a merger with Thurrock and Basildon College and the South East Essex College, Southend.

It was hoped a permanant building would be in place, in Thurrock, by 2012.

Thurrock Council is now working towards helping the college gain the funding required.

Sue MacPherson, councillor responsible for education, said: “We have had the rug pulled from under us. Without the funding, it’s a major, major problem. It’s so heartbreaking.”

Council leader Garry Hague said: “It’s very disappointing, but we will do everything we can to marshal whatever funding we can.”

Financial contributions are still expected from other stakeholders, including Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation, the East of England Development Agency, and Thurrock Council.

Jan Hodges, principal and chief executive of South East Essex College, based in Southend, said: “The economic environment is substantially different from the time when projects were first encouraged.

“We will now continue to work closely with our partners and the LSC to look for alternative means to improve the college premises across Basildon, Thurrock and Southend.

“The initial focus will be on updating and improving existing facilities at Thurrock and Basildon, so they are more in line with our 21st century campus in Southend.”