GLOUCESTERSHIRE College is one step closer to turning its dream of a new college into a reality after securing a £5 million grant.

The government grant from the Skills Funding Agency, which funds skills training for further education in England, comes as the hybrid planning application for the Northern Quarter development will be submitted this month by the Homes and Community Agency (HCA). The outcome is expected in the summer.

The proposed Royal Forest of Dean Campus new build is a central element of the Cinderford Northern Quarter regeneration project and would replace the college's current facility at Five Acres in Coleford.

Gloucestershire College principal and chief executive, Matthew Burgess said: "We are delighted to receive confirmation of the funding grant from the Skills Funding Agency which is a crucial part of the funding mix; however we are not there yet. The next stage of the process is to submit the hybrid planning application later this month.

"I am grateful for the support we have received from our key partners including the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the Forest of Dean District Council and Mark Harper, MP for the Forest of Dean, in making this happen."

In another positive step forward, a Gloucestershire contractor has been appointed to build the new campus. The name of the contractor cannot be released at this stage for contractual reasons.

Mr Burgess added: "Following a detailed tender exercise, I can confirm that we have appointed a local company to build the new Royal Forest of Dean Campus in Cinderford. Should the building work go ahead, we will be using the project to give college students and apprentices valuable experience of working on a major building project, supporting our ongoing aim to place work experience at the heart of all Gloucestershire College learning programmes."