This is the first scale model of the planned �173m pound redevelopment of Norwich City College.The model of the new-look Ipswich Road campus is on display at City Hall until Friday afternoon.

By STEVE DOWNES

Education correspondent

This is the first scale model of the planned �173m pound redevelopment of Norwich City College.

The model of the new-look Ipswich Road campus is on display at City Hall until Friday afternoon.

During the exhibition, members of the public will be able to comment on the designs and any other issues of concern.

The college is currently waiting to hear if it has been successful in its application to the government for funding. The issue of college redevelopment is the subject of a review, after the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) postponed any decisions for three months.

It has left �500m of planned overhauls up in the air at colleges across East Anglia, with principals waiting to hear if their schemes will be delayed.

If City College gets the go-ahead soon, subject to full planning consent it hopes to begin work on the north and south ends of the campus early next year.

College principal Dick Palmer said: "The prime minister has said that he wants to see major capital projects, particularly in education, proceed as fast as possible - not just to create fantastic places for students to learn, but also for the boost to local construction and the creation of other jobs that major public investment such as this brings.

"We are therefore confident that we have put a compelling case for funding to the LSC and now await their green light so that we can get on with creating a state-of-the-art campus in which students can be motivated and inspired for decades to come."

He added: "The exhibition we are holding at City Hall this week is all part of the college's commitment to engaging with students, staff, local residents, employers and the wider community as we continue to develop these exciting and vital plans for the future of the college."