Central Sussex College has been given the green light to start work on a £24 million redevelopment of its Haywards Heath campus.

A year on from the formation of the college, the Learning and Skills Council national property board has approved the college's request to help fund the major three-year scheme.

The news means contractors can now begin work on the first phase of the project at the sixth form campus.

The plans include a new 260-seat theatre space to be called The Hub, a glass atrium, a music suite and two digital language labs.

The facilities have been called "fantastic".

The scheme, split into three phases, will boost facilities at the Harlands Road campus for the performing arts, languages, English, media and fine arts. Last year's students were placed within the top one per cent of the country in performing arts. Phase One, will see a £9.3 million investment, in the performing arts centre and theatre, and the music suite, designed in collaboration with the Brighton Institute of Modern Music.

The first phase will also see two rehearsal studios built, two dance studios, two digital language labs, classrooms, IT rooms and office space.

Phase Two, which will start in November, subject to funding, will see facilities for media and arts students built.

The £4 million phase will include visual arts studios, for art, design and photography; a dark room; a digital photography suite; film and media labs; a training kitchen; and new classrooms.

Phase Three, which would cost £10.8 million and start in spring 2008, subject to funding and planning permission, would provide a hair salon; a glass atrium featuring a coffee shop; a canteen and social space; and more classrooms, labs, and IT suites.

College principal Dr Russell Strutt said: "The redevelopment of our Haywards Heath campus is part of an ongoing commitment to provide students in Mid Sussex with first class accommodation to allow them to gain first class results.

"The campus has been redesigned after close consultation with the staff and students and the end result will provide the best facilities of their kind in the area, allowing us to further expand our curriculum. It is an exciting time for our students and our staff."