MORE than £70million could be poured into redeveloping Seevic College.

Ambitious plans, which include a new sports hall, all-weather outdoor pitch and community theatre, go on show at the college today.

If the project gets the go-ahead when the proposals are submitted to Castle Point Council next spring, the older building - which dates back to 1972 - will be totally rebuilt.

On Tuesday, the council agreed in principle to lease land at the back of Runnymede Hall and Runnymede Swimming Pool to the college, and allow the demolition of the White House.

This means a redeveloped campus would spread over two sites with a combined area of 23,000 square metres.

Student allocation would also increase from 2,800 to 3,160.

Principal Geoff Arnott says this would come from an increase in the range of courses on offer, in vocational subjects and courses for adults, and not from places for more A-level students.

He said: "We need to cater for the increased need for skills-based training.

"We think this is a fantastic project and we are really excited about it.

"What we want to do is make the college less intimidating to the residents of Castle Point."

It is planned the new sports facilities would be open to the public when they are not being used for teaching. The campus would also include a "High Street" featuring a coffee bar, shops and a student advice centre.

Some of these facilities could also be used by the community.

The college is also looking at using green technologies, such as ground source heating, to reduce the carbon emissions of the new building.

Talks between the council's chief executive and the college will now take place to agree the exact terms of the lease of the land, but the project has the council's full support.