Fresh doubts have emerged over ambitious plans for a £55million learning campus in Ashford after the quango in charge of funding announced a temporary freeze on all decisions on major schemes.

The Learning and Skills Council says the recession has prompted a review of various college proposals but insists the moratorium on its building programme does not mean any have been dropped.

But the news of a delay has sparked dismay and led to renewed fears that the learning campus plan could run into the ground. The LSC is due to be abolished next year. Responsibility for decisions about post-16 education will be handed to the county council.

The learning campus plan is regarded as a key component of the wider regeneration plans for Ashford but has suffered several setbacks. It envisages a college for as many as 40,000 students, offering courses in a wide range of vocational subjects.

The original timetable for building work on the 18,000 square metre site at Victoria Road has slipped and the imminent merger of South Kent College with West Kent College has proved a further complication. Last year, it emerged that Ashford’s Future - the body overseeing the creation of tens of thousands of jobs and houses - had offered money to keep the project alive.

South Kent College principal Monica Box said the LSC’s decision was a concern.

“This part of Kent has had less further education capital funding than any other area in Kent, so any delay or hold up to that funding is a source of concern. We would regret this very much as we are very keen to access this funding for the Ashford Learning Campus. We worry because South Kent has so far not had the same opportunity for capital investment in learning and skills that other parts of the county have had.”

The Learning and Skills Council said it wanted to examine the viability of various college plans in the wake of the economic downturn.

Funding for some schemes is dependent on the sale of existing properties and land and in many cases, estimates of how much might be raised will need to be reviewed.

In a statement, LSC chief executive Mark Haysom said: “There are early signs the ability of colleges to raise their own funds for proposed projects is being affected by the downturn. It is for this reason the LSC is working closely with colleges that have or intend to submit bids to look at the individual current positions before making further funding decisions.”

A meeting due to be held in March will review schemes that are waiting for final approval.