KIDDERMINSTER College has chosen a site in preparation for its £9 million move into the town centre.

The multi-storey car park in Market Street will be demolished to make way for the new college, which is expected to be in place by September 2002.

A planning application has been submitted to Wyre Forest District Council, and if councillors give the go-ahead as expected, the relocated campus will be built next to Kidderminster Library.

College principal Andrew Miller said the council had been "extremely supportive" of the proposed move since it was first discussed in October last year, and he expected few problems in its completion.

He said: "Kidderminster is undergoing a period of change and I hope this move will add to the revitalisation of the town centre being driven by the KTC1 redevelopment.

"The new college will have drop-in workshops, a modern learning resource centre and much improved services.

"They are designed to support the student learning experience as well as creating more opportunities for public access to its facilities."

The college is leaving its Hoo Road site of 40 years because a "considerable" amount of money would have to be spent on maintenance if it did not relocate.

There have also been complaints from nearby residents about driveways being blocked by cars belonging to college users, of which there are now 750 full-time and 3,500 part-time students.

A new car park will be built on the proposed college site.

The Further Education Funding Council has pledged to provide 35 per cent of the cash for the move.

The remainder will come from selling the Hoo Road site for housing.

Councillor Steve Roberts, portfolio holder for environment and development, said: "I would welcome the college's move to the town centre as an exciting opportunity for the students and also to boost the economy of the town centre."

The planning application for the proposed development is expected to be heard shortly after Christmas.