A new £14 million state-of-the art performing arts centre is set to be built at Walsall’s campus of the University of Wolverhampton.

Tenders are being advertised for the proposed facility which will include a learning centre at the campus in Highgate.

The university’s senior pro-vice chancellor Garry Sproston revealed the project was in the very early stages.

He said: “We can confirm there are plans in the pipeline for a Black Country Performing Arts and Learning Centre, to be based at Walsall Campus.

“The intention is to provide purpose-built accommodation for our Sch-ool of Sport Performing Arts and Leisure, including Learning Centre facilities.

“If the proposals go ahead, the building will be located in the centre of the campus and will replace existing outdated accommodation.”

The contracts team have now advertised for architects to come forward to act as the lead consultant and design leader for the designs.

The university’s website stated: “The project is a new-build facility to provide state-of-the-art general teaching accommodation and specialist accommodation for the School of Performing Arts, not including a theatre, along with a new Learning Centre for the Campus.

“The objective is to provide a building of high architectural quality.”

Earlier this year Jim Knight, the Minister of State for Schools and Learners, officially opened the campus’s new School of Education and the Institute for Learning Enhancement.

The latest building project is part of efforts to improve teaching facilities at the college which is home to the university’s teaching, performing arts degree courses. The campus is also a centre of excellence for sports and is home to the Olympic judo team.