A NEW £9million college will be built in Cradley Heath after the scheme was given the go-ahead by planners.

Permission has been granted for a new Satellite Education Hub on Lower High Street, with Sandwell College as the anchor institution.

The new facility will be built on the site of a former car park next to Lidl, which is being made available by Sandwell Council.

The hub will offer courses in areas including construction, hair and beauty, and health and social care as well as essential skills education and training in Maths, English and digital skills.

The centre will also be used by voluntary and charity sector organisations, with plans to work with local community groups to provide access to social, medical and other education advice and services.

Halesowen News: The hub will be on this former car park next to Lidl The hub will be on this former car park next to Lidl (Image: Google)

Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and WMCA, said: “The new facility is an excellent example of our vision to regenerate the borough.

"This project uses the site of a former car park to create an education hub, in partnership with Sandwell College, and is just one of our 16 Sandwell Towns Fund Partnership government-funded projects.”

Councillor Simon Hackett, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “We know that education really enhances life opportunities so having this new facility will be an important part of our plan to ensure everyone has the opportunity to meet their full potential and educational and employment goals.”

The council said the hub will provide programmes to address the barrier to economic growth caused by local skills deficiencies.

It will hold courses in essential skills, access to Higher Education, and courses for people looking for a new career, or for promotion.

Construction is expected to start in October 2023.