Wolverhampton's £60m college places are nearly all taken

The complex will be built at the old Springfield Brewery in Wolverhampton after planning permission was granted this week.

And now bosses have revealed that there are only a handful of places left.

The land on Cambridge Street, Heath Town, is set to become the home of the new West Midlands Construction University Technical College.

The existing Grade Two listed building is set to undergo 'sympathetic repair and refurbishment', while the famous M&B Springfield Brewery entrance arch on Cambridge Street will be preserved and serve as the college's main entrance.

Once open, the college will accommodate 600 students aged 14-19 and will focus on technical and vocational skills.

The plans are the first phase of a £60m project, which will eventually form the University of Wolverhampton's Springfield campus.

The university bought the brewery last year to create 'a centre of excellence with the most comprehensive construction education and training in Europe'.

The site originally became a brewery in 1874. It was taken over by Mitchells and Butlers in 1960 and ran as a brewery for 30 years until 1991. The site was ravaged by fire in 2004.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Professor Geoff Layer, said: "Construction is seven per cent of the British economy and it is vital we train more young people with the skills to work in this industry. This new UTC will make Wolverhampton the first port of call for builders wanting to hire new staff.

"I will work closely with the city council and the University of Wolverhampton to support the new college."

Tim Johnson, strategic director at Wolverhampton City Council, said the project would be one of a kind in Europe.

He said it was hugely encouraging to see the plans submitted for a project which could make a 'big difference to the education offer in the city and regionally for people from the age of 14 upwards – giving them the skills they need to embark on successful careers in construction and related industries.

Mr Johnson added: "This facility will be one of its kind nationally and in Europe and really positions us as a city of innovation.

"It demonstrates a real drive by the university, business and city council to improve opportunity locally and boost our economy in the long term.

"In addition, the development will play an important part in the continued regeneration of Wolverhampton and the canalside in particular."

Developers were told to prove that bats at the site would not be harmed before work begins.

Bats are considered a protected species under European law. Ecological surveys are set to take place over the coming weeks to see whether wildlife can be protected from injury or disturbance during the proposed development.

It comes as the university looks to spend £250m over the next five years.

New courses are being introduced, with the university dubbing the huge outlay as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' investment.

Bosses will work closely with Wolverhampton City Council and the job-creating Black Country LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership).

And those two organisations have hailed the investment as a massive boost to the area.