FORMER farm buildings will be turned into an education centre for green technology.

Bicton College has unveiled its plans for the Environment and Renewable Energy Technologies Hub (EARTH). It will come at a cost of £500,000 and is set to open in May next year.

David Henley, principal of Bicton College, said: "This is a truly inspirational project and further endorses Bicton's role at the heart of environmental education in the region.

"It marks the first phase of a major push to position Bicton as the pioneer in skills development for the region's rapidly emerging green economy."

East Devon District Council has agreed that a series of redundant farm buildings at the college's Home Farm complex can be renovated and turned into a "zero carbon training facility". It will create its own heat and power, although a full planning application still needs approval.

If it goes ahead, the college will be able to accommodate more students through additional courses, alongside some of the most up-to-date examples of renewable technology.

Plans are already progressing for the introduction of at least five new courses in green technology at Bicton College as a result of the new facility.

Capital funding was secured from Productive Skills for Devon, part of the Devon Strategic Partnership, and it will be operated by the college, near Sidmouth, as a standalone venture to provide practical skills training and apprenticeships, although all courses will be integrated with the college's developing curriculum.

Mr Henley added: "To create such a dedicated training facility is a major leap forward that will bring together students, schools, businesses and communities to learn about and implement renewable energies and other sustainable initiatives."

It comes just a month after the future of Bicton was assured. It had been due to form a federation with Exeter College, but the city college pulled out after learning it would have to take on Bicton's historic debts. That came after the Learning and Skills Council reneged on a pledge to underwrite the arrears as a grant.

But the Skills Funding Agency, which has replaced the LSC as a funding body for education, has since confirmed its financial support for Bicton, which has "got its house in order", and allowed it to continue independently.

The EARTH project has been developed with the help of Budleigh Salterton's Granted Consultancy. A decision on the full planning application is expected soon