THE next phase of a Budmouth Technology College's proposed £17.6 million redevelopment has started.

Members of the public have until May 30 to make representations to Dorset County Council about plans to modernise the school on Chickerell Road, Weymouth.

The planned work would involve the college's Clare Hall partially demolished to build new, eco-friendly classrooms, games courts and landscaping works.

Principal David Akers said the new accommodation may feature glass-roofed walkways as communal areas for students and teachers to study and socialise in.

He also said the development may make use of solar energy, improved recycling schemes and reused or 'grey' water for things like flushing toilets.

Mr Akers said: "We need this new development in order to be able to provide a fit-for-purpose building that will enable us to deliver the curriculum effectively over the next 15 to 20 years.

"We've actually already held a public consultation on the plans and the response was very positive.

"The students, staff and parents all seem delighted about the new build and I'm sure the wider community will also be delighted with it.

"This development will enhance the community and the environment and we're looking at new ways of making sure the development is eco-friendly.

"We are going to provide a fantastic resource for the community through this development as well as a much better teaching and planning environment."

The new development, if it gets the go-ahead, would house English, maths, geography, science, history, languages and information and communication technology classrooms.

He added: "Our longer term plan is to eventually completely replace all of the existing buildings in the college apart from the sports hall and the design and technology centre, which are both relatively new."

Mr Akers added that the college's netball courts would need to be moved to accommodate the development and that it would not create any extra student places.

A formal application for planning permission to complete the work has been submitted to Dorset County Council.

Members of the county council's cabinet have previously decided to back the scheme after hearing that the current, four-storey Clare Hall will be unsafe to occupy after 2009/10.