Specialist teams are set to be appointed shortly to undertake initial design and survey work that could advance plans for Thetford's proposed life-long learning campus.

After securing initial funding to develop the concept, Breckland Council is seeking independent specialists to assess a potential site in the town and determine whether it is a viable location for the campus.

Suppliers will examine the Minstergate area, identified by West Suffolk College as an ideal site. The location sits next to Thetford bus station and is close to the train station, providing good accessibility.

It is also near London Road, offering the potential for a highly visible landmark within the town centre and helping to drive footfall onto the high street.

Nikos Savvas OBE, CEO of Eastern Education Group, said: "We are incredibly excited to be working in partnership with Breckland Council to explore how we can bring new life-long learning opportunities into the heart of Thetford. This project is about opening doors and creating a welcoming, accessible campus that supports young people, adults, and local employers, and helps residents gain the skills they need to succeed.

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"Minstergate has the potential to become a true learning landmark for the town, and we look forward to the findings of the surveys as we take this important step towards delivering more opportunity for the Thetford community."

Thetford Neighbourhood Board Chair, Jo Pearson DL, commented: "From a Pride in Place perspective, this is exactly the kind of transformative investment that the people of Thetford told us to spend their £20m on, when they helped us to put together their "Plan ...forThetford" last summer. They told us they wanted some of that £20m to go towards education, skills and training. A life-long learning campus at Minstergate would not only breathe new life into a key part of our town centre, but send a powerful signal that Thetford is a place where people can learn, grow, and build their futures without having to leave their community.

"The Neighbourhood Board warmly welcomes this progress and the collaborative spirit between Breckland Council and Eastern Education Group. A highly visible landmark at the gateway to our town centre, with excellent transport links, could be a real catalyst for wider regeneration, bringing more people into the heart of Thetford and supporting our high street."

The council expects to appoint contractors during the spring, with surveys and initial design work to follow before a report is submitted around the summer. Partners will then use the findings to assess the site’s viability and secure the funding required to deliver the campus, including seeking further national investment.