Ambitious plans for a £50 million landmark college campus and shopping centre in the heart of Southend have just been unveiled.

South East Essex College is teaming up with the company behind Southend United to move the college to a new site with a High Street entrance, on land next to Central Station.

The project will also see an injection of new life into the derelict Odeon cinema in Elmer Approach, creating space for around 20 new shops and a high-profile gateway to the college.

Detailed plans were being submitted to Southend Council today. If approved, building could get under way early next year and be completed by July, 2002.

Once the work is finished, South East Essex College's existing assets - including its current base in Carnarvon Road - will be transferred to Billericay-based development company Martin Dawn, the major shareholder in Southend United.

It is not yet clear what these be will be used for.

College chief executive Tony Pitcher said today: "The new High Street building will begin a new chapter in the history of the college and will enable us to provide wider access to further and higher Education to more local people.

"The college continues to grow and change in line with the changing educational needs of our students, the wider community and the economy.

"Our new building will be purpose-built to meet these new educational challenges efficiently and cost-effectively."

Ron Martin, chairman of Martin Dawn, today said he was delighted to be involved with such an exciting project, shaping the future of Southend.

His company was to act as a "facilitator" for the proposals, Mr Martin added.

He said: "Regenerating the High Street will take a major step forward with these proposals.

"The presence of more than 10,000 students will provide a massive boost for existing traders and the redevelopment on the Odeon site will give the High Street a new focus encouraging retailers to invest in the town centre.

"The combination of the new college building, new shops and an enhanced environment around the station entrance will create a busy and vibrant area right at the heart of the High Street."

The college's director of corporate planning, Lindsey Noble, said she hoped the project would be part-funded by the Further Education Funding Council.

She added: "There are various other sources that are not entirely clear yet."

Southend Council's chief executive and town clerk, George Krawiec, said today: "Anything that will boost the wealth and wellbeing of Southend is good news.

"However, it should be remembered that the proposals have yet to be considered by the council in planning terms and I wouldn't want to pre-empt that.

"However, it is a matter of public record that the council does support a university presence in the town and the relocation of the college. It will certainly represent a catalyst for the High Street."

Hi tech - an artist's impression of the college atrium, by Central Station. The college will be linked to shopping development

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.