THE redevelopment of a run-down communityhall in Thetford could be back on the cards under ambitious proposals for a college in the town.Plans to launch a competition for architects to draw up designs for a replacement Carnegie Room were put to one side by town councillors last year.

THE redevelopment of a run-down community

hall in Thetford could be back on the cards under ambitious proposals for a college in the town.

Plans to launch a competition for architects to draw up designs for a replacement Carnegie Room were put to one side by town councillors last year.

But a campaign for a new community and entertainment facility at the 1960s venue has received a fresh boost as part of an initiative to improve post-16 learning in Thetford.

Town councillors heard at a meeting on Wednesday night that the Thetford Post-16 Providers Consortium - a partnership between Charles Burrell High School, Rosemary Musker High School, West Suffolk College, and Easton College - was looking to create a new education centre in the town.

Susan Glossop, town manager, said that officials behind the project were starting to examine town centre sites in Thetford and it would be “extremely beneficial” for the town council to work together with the consortium, which could result in a new Carnegie Room.

Plans for a college in Thetford have received backing from the Learning and Skills Council to create a minimum of 200 extra educational places for 16 to 19-year-olds, but have yet to get capital funding.

Deputy mayor Robert Kybird said David Lawrence, principal of Easton College, was working on ambitious proposals for

the town: “He has a vision of a landmark building. Something like The Forum in Norwich at the heart of the community

that will engage young people in their training with the community,” he said.