THANET College in Broadstairs may be sold and replaced with a £40 million purpose-built complex at Westwood.

Plans for the ambitious project have been lodged with Thanet council and are due to be considered this Thursday. If it is given the go-ahead, the new campus will be open for business from September 2010.

The site earmarked is land between the rear of the retail park at the Tesco Extra development and the Christ Church College Thanet university campus in Northwood Road.

It will cater for around 8,000 full and part time students from 16 years old to adult learners, and 400 full and part-time staff.

Funding would come from the sale of the existing land. The imposing listed Yarrow building a former Victorian convalescent hospital that is the main college will most likely be retained and converted into luxury apartments with other housing built on the rest of the site that overlooks the town and the seaside.

College principal Sue Buss said: "The current college buildings are full to bursting and we desperately need more space.

"The great advantage of the new campus is that it will be next to the university. This will mean that Further Education and Higher Education are available at one central location.

"It will certainly help promote the Government initiative for people to aim higher in education beyond the age of 16."

The campus will cater for an increased range of academic and vocational courses, skills development and training.

Growth areas will include construction and trades, sport and fitness, catering and hospitality, retail and general business training, health and social care.

Mrs Buss added: "It is a fantastic opportunity for the area and for people from all walks of life and all ages to improve their skills."

Three public consultations she described as "generally in support for the development" have been held.