£31 million music college planned for Brierley Hill Waterfront

The campus could open its doors to students as early as September 2017. If given approval, the ground-breaking not-for-profit institute, which has been backed by the music industry, will offer places for around 600 degree and 115 postgraduate students.

The campus will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, practise rooms, a library, recording studios, an independent radio station, a sound and light control room, a live music venue, a retail outlet, bar and student accommodation.

Dudley Council has backed the project, in the hope it will kick-start the regeneration of the whole Waterfront area.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "This is a very exciting development for Dudley and I am delighted the music institute have chosen to invest in Brierley Hill and create a state-of-the-art venue for some of the country's top music students.

"This will have a huge positive impact on the local economy and will bring hundreds of students to the area."

The project is looking for funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, with the rest of the money coming from private investment.

Bosses say discussions are still ongoing as to which of the existing Waterfront buildings will be used for the college.

In addition to its degree students, institute bosses said they hope to forge close links with community groups, further education providers, organisations and charities.

As a not-for-profit venture, any money made will be reinvested back into the institute and its facilities.

More than 130 jobs are expected to be created.

The project is being led by a consortium of music industry experts, educators and employers.

David Barnard, who has experience across the music education and music industries sectors, will lead the institute as its principal and chief executive officer.

Mr Barnard, previously director of education at Roland UK, said plans for the institute were forged in answer to a 'cry for help' from the music industry.

"Our long-term vision is to create a music village or campus, with the institute at its heart, driving innovation, enterprise and research that will be recognised globally.

"The feasibility study is the first step in the right direction towards realising this dream and it's fantastic that we've got support from Dudley Council."