TOP officials from Kirklees College are in crucial talks over cash funding for a planned new campus in Huddersfield.

They are holding detailed negotiations with officials from the Learning and Skills Council over their multi-million pound plans for the site as part of the huge £175m Waterfront project, off Chapel Hill.

And it has brought more than a glimmer of hope for both the college and others involved in the scheme.

Two months ago, the project – set to attract hundreds of jobs – looked in jeopardy after the LSC admitted it had “overstretched” in trying to meet bids for funding.

But now Kirklees College is one of a handful of schemes asked to submit detailed proposals for new consideration by the council.

The campus is centrepiece of the Waterfront plans which include flats and offices on land off Chapel Hill and Manchester Road, on the banks of the River Colne.

But the whole scheme rests on a new £70m campus for Kirklees College being built on the site.

The Learning and Skills Council has revealed that 79 college building projects, including Kirklees, have been put on hold because of a shortage of cash.

Today’s news came as the college celebrated another big windfall.