NCC East now faces closure

The future of the National Construction College (NCC) East looks increasingly bleak after it admitted that it cannot find further funding to maintain the site.

The NCC had hoped to raise £8.5m for extensive refurbishment of the NCC site in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, by selling land for the construction of 250 homes. But its planning appeal was rejected, forcing it to come up with another way to find the cash.

NCC acting director Andy Walder confirmed that the company had been unable to secure another source of funding to continue with the project.

"Despite words of support from local and regional stakeholders, there has been no firm action and/or external funding packages forthcoming to address the shortfall in funding that we face," he added. "Should a package be offered in the coming weeks, we would, of course, invest in NCC East as planned."

The ConstructionSkills Board will discuss the future role of NCC East at a meeting on 21 February.