HAWKHILLS Emergency Planning Services College, near Easingwold, is to receive a £7 million facelift to bring it into the 21st century.

Work on building a modern accommodation block, to provide 101 ensuite bedrooms, and a training centre complete with flexible seminar rooms and library is expected to start in the spring, following approval of the scheme by Hambleton District Council planners.

The college, run by the Government's Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat, offers three-day training courses in risk management for Government, emergency services, private sector and voluntary staff.

The site is also shared by the Home Office Crime Reduction Programme College which trains officers in crime prevention techniques.

Despite enjoying a highly-acclaimed reputation, student numbers have fallen slightly in recent months as facilities and accommodation were seen as being "inadequate".

"The main problem is the accommodation which is poorly heated, has little sound insulation, and is not ensuite," said project leader Alan Lawrence.

"The original site went up in 1937. It then became a gas school and later, during the Cold War, became the civil defence college.

"It became the Emergency Planning Services College in the early 1990s, but even then was badly in need of modernisation."

He said that about 50 per cent of the 13,000 students who went through the college every year were from local authorities, with a growing percentage from charitable organisations such as the Red Cross.

Courses taught include strategic crisis management and safety in sports crowds.

The development has also received the approval of Easingwold Town Council.

The college employs about 100 staff, 40 of whom are outside contractors.

"We were very much in favour of the scheme," said Easingwold Mayor Diane Gallon.

"It will continue to go towards helping the local economy. The architecture is also very impressive."

Updated: 11:21 Wednesday, January 08, 2003