New plans have been announced by Askham Bryan College which will see a £9m investment into new projects both at Newton Rigg College and at the York campus, at Askham Bryan.

Chief Executive, Liz Philip said: "We have just received news that our bid to the Skills Funding Agency for capital funding has been wholly successful. We will receive £3m from the SFA which will be matched by a further £6m from our funds. This is hugely significant, not only for the College, but for the education of tomorrow's young people, for the economy across the North of England, and for the positive impact it will have on agriculture generally."

Additional jobs are also expected to result. "I would anticipate that around 75 new jobs will be created. We currently employ 520 people in full and part time roles, but as you would expect, to deliver more courses to more students, we will need to recruit and that will be a further boost to the local economy," said Mrs Philip.

The plans will also lead to greater student numbers and a larger portfolio of courses offered, says Mrs Philip.  "We are already the fastest growing landbased College in England - our student numbers have  increased three fold in the last five years - from 800 full time students in 2007 to today's figure of 2,500, plus around 3,000 part time students.

"Our students deserve the best learning environment possible, and certainly whilst our our latest Ofsted (Jan 2012) designated us as a "good college with outstanding features", it stated that the standard of some of our buildings was poor. We needed to address that, and now we are able to put that into action," said Mrs Philip.

Commenting on plans for Newton Rigg, Wes Johnson, Principal said: "We have some wonderful original sandstone buildings, the library and of course the original Newton Rigg farmhouse. We want open up the campus with green areas to enhance the whole feel of the college  and make the most of these buildings. At present they are hidden amongst a real mish mash of buildings, several of which are in disrepair and need to be replaced."

The first visible sign of progress will be the start of the dairy at Newton Rigg which is expected to begin this month (November). Planning permission was received last June and the tender process to appoint the contractor is in the final stages. Tendering will also get underway to upgrade buildings on the campus with the hope of construction beginning next summer.

Coun Eddie Martin, Leader, Cumbria County Council said: "I'm delighted to see Askham Bryan College's commitment to improving and investing in Newton Rigg College is bearing fruit with this significant inward investment into the county. The Skills Funding Agency has clearly recognised the important part Newton Rigg plays in Cumbria's rural economy"

Lord (Donald) Curry said: "“I am delighted that Askham Bryan College has been so successful. It is vital that young people are inspired to achieve their educational potential so the farming industry has the best workforce and leaders possible. The benefits that the vision and confidence the College has shown will be reaped by the industry for years to come."