HE £15.8 million Cinderford campus for Gloucestershire College was open for business on Tuesday as the first students arrived to enrol for the new term.

The new college building, already dubbed ‘the caravan’ because of the unusual design of its entrance foyer, occupies a picturesque woodland setting overlooking Steam Mills Lake.

The new campus forms a major part of the Cinderford Northern Quarter regeneration project and offers some of the best post-16 education and training facilities in the country.

Staff and students celebrated the opening with ribbon cutting, cake and speeches in the unique touchdown area of the campus, with Barnwood Construction handing over the keys to Gloucestershire College principal Matthew Burgess and Sandra Tyrrell, assistant principal, Forest of Dean campus.

Mr Burgess said: “After a busy summer of preparation, we are delighted to open our brand new campus on time and on schedule.

“It gives my staff and I great pleasure to warmly welcome in our Forest students to such a high tech and stunning building and grounds."

Assistant principal, Ms Tyrrell, added: “The feedback we have already had from students, parents and members of the local Forest community about our new campus has been incredibly positive.

“The teaching facilities here are second to none, set alongside modern and vibrant study and relaxation areas.

“We are delighted to welcome so many students and their families today - we have over 400 students who have already applied to enrol here in Cinderford.”