A huge investment of £40million is heading for Ashton-under-Lyne as government ministers gave the final go-ahead to build a new education campus.

A new home for the New Charter Academy is to be built by the Inspired Spaces consortium on land at Broadoak to the north of the town. It will be constructed alongside a replacement for the Samuel Laycock special school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

The New Charter Academy opened in September 2008 on two former secondary school sites. It was the first in England to be sponsored by a housing association.

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Group Chief Executive of sponsor New Charter, Ian Munro said: "We've overcome several unexpected obstacles to finally present government with proposals. This is the first Academy to be built as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme without using the private finance initiative, so there's been some new ground for us all to tread.

"Exciting though this news is, the Academy is not about new buildings but transforming the life chances of our young people.

"But these fantastic facilities will help. I'm delighted the builders are starting work. We will welcome students here in September 2011."

The design will complement the efforts to establish the Academy as one of the leading education providers. The purpose-built facilities will incorporate state-of-the art sports, performing arts, science and technology facilities designed around the Academy's needs.

(CD/BMcc)