South East Essex College has been dealt a bitter blow with its £55 million town centre relocation plan bounced back for reconsideration.

The Further Education Funding Council - which was asked to plough £16 million into the project - delivered the bombshell following a crucial meeting.

However, college chief executive Tony Pitcher today (Tuesday) remained resolute and vowed to work closely with all his partners to maximise all opportunities for further and higher education in Southend.

The college, based in Carnarvon Road, Southend, had teamed up with the company behind Southend United to spearhead ambitious plans to create a 21st century centre of learning excellence in the heart of the town centre.

The proposals, drawn up in partnership with Billericay-based Martin Dawn, include a state-of-the-art college campus linked to a shopping centre on the site of the former Odeon cinema.

Mr Pitcher vowed to launch talks with the funding council and various stakeholders in the project to determine his next move.

He said: "We are surprised and disappointed at this decision.

"It seems to be inconsistent with the communications we have had with Further Education Funding Council officers.We presented a well thought out proposal which has been developed to a high degree of detail over a two-year period.

"We operated to a clear design brief, which will meet the demands of the college over the next 15 years and incorporate the plans to develop higher education with Essex University."

A spokesman for the Further Education Funding Council said: "Following the meeting of the council on June 8, which considered South East Essex college's relocation project and application for project support, the group recommended the college and its partners look again at various aspects of the proposal.

"In particular, the council would like the college to investigate a phased approach to the development of the site and relocation of its existing premises."

Mr Pitcher said his staff had worked closely with funding council officers throughout the lead-up period before the plans were submitted to Southend Council.

He added: "They had responded positively to requests for additional analysis and further information. The college had also completed work based on the observations of the funding council officers to ensure the proposal met the requirements of the committee."

Mr Pitcher will be asking for detailed feedback on the proposal and an explanation of all the issues.

He stressed: "The college will continue to work with its partners to bring the further and higher education developments to Southend that the town and surrounding area needs and deserves."

Where the money was coming from

£16 million - Further Education Funding Council

£9 million - South East Essex College

£3.6million - disposal of existing buildings

£4 million - Essex University

£1.5 million - Objective Two Euro funding

About the FEFC

The Further Education Funding Council is due to be abolished in April next year and replaced by the Learning and Skills Council. It has £40 million of capital funding available this year, £55 million next year and £100 million over the next two years.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.