Wiltshire College is hoping to transform its Lackham campus if it secures £10 million from the Local Growth Fund.

The campus near Chippenham offers courses in agriculture, agricultural engineering, countryside management, animal science, equine and horticulture.

The college said its Lackham campus was “at the centre of the community and economy in the region” but that it required serious investment in order to “become the regional centre of excellence that Wiltshire deserves”.

It hopes to secure the £10m funding needed from the remaining 2015/2016 Local Growth Fund allocations, due to be assessed soon.

The vision is to relocate teaching spaces into purpose built accommodation, based on a quadrangle of new buildings next to Lackham House.

It wants to expand its provision for 14 to 19-year-olds in higher education and apprenticeships, and make the centre a focus for innovation, with incubation units, research capacity and business support.

Skills shortages in land-based industries and high value agricultural engineering were identified by Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Strategic Economic Plan.

The college said its new plans would enable Lackham to fully meet these needs.

Acting principal Amanda Burnside said: “The exciting vision for Lackham will provide a modern campus to enhance teaching and learning.

“We are busy gaining the support of local employers, organisations and students to demonstrate what a difference the new campus would make. We feel the case is overwhelming.”

The college hopes to hear within the next month if funding is secured and wants to get building work underway in 2016.