A COLLEGE is “delighted” to receive a grant of almost £8million from central government which will go towards the improvement of campus facilities.

The £7,702,838 awarded Harrow College, which has both a campus in Harrow Weald and Harrow on the Hill, will allow it to embark on their proposed £9.5m redevelopment project.

Coupled with approximately £1.5m in private money, the cash will be used at Harrow College’s Harrow on the Hill campus in Lowlands Road, Harrow.

Judith Abbott, director of finance and resources at Harrow College said: “The college is absolutely delighted to secure this funding, which will enable us to build an exciting new flagship Business Enterprise Centre at our Harrow on the Hill campus that will benefit the local economy as well as our students and staff.”

The money has also been welcomed by Conservative MP for Harrow East Bob Blackman.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Harrow College to improve its facilities.

“This government is allocating vast amounts of the money for the redevelopment of schools and colleges across the country.

“I am delighted that some of that money is making its way to Harrow and will be delivering improved facilities for the borough.”

Conservative skills minister Matthew Hancock said: “I’m delighted to announce £7.7m in government funding for Harrow College which, combined with £1.9m of private money, will help transform their campus and improve teaching and learning

locally.”

The funding has been awarded as part of the government’s College Capital Investment Fund programme, to which Stanmore College in Elm Park, Stanmore, also applied for funding.

That college is yet to hear whether or not their application for funding has been successful.

Mr Blackman added: “I have written to Stanmore College, pledging my support for their bid and offering assistance where possible.

“I will be contacting the Department for Education, making the case as to why Stanmore College deserves to be successful in its application.”