NEW COLLEGE has submitted plans for a £1.5m sports hall.

The hall will be built alongside the college's £11m campus next to its current building in Queens Drive and is part of the Parks and Walcot regeneration programme.

It has already been granted outline planning permission for the building and was given a section 106 order by Swindon Council, which means it must build a new gym within five years to replace the one that will be closed when the college moves to its new home.

The college is also in negotiations with the council to convert part of an adjacent sports field into an all-weather pitch.

The facility will also contain a fitness suite.

It will be open to members of the public in the evenings and during weekends and other college holidays.

If planning permission is given soon the college hopes to have the building open by September next year.

The college hopes the Learning and Skills Council will provide government funding for 35 per cent of the cost, with the college paying for the remaining 65 per cent.

Principal Graham Taylor said: "This will be a community facility open to the public."

"We are looking forward to working with Swindon Council to secure planning permission without delay so we can start building."