PLANS for a ground-breaking £31million music college at The Waterfront could reignite the Black Country's "proud and diverse musical legacy".

Brierley Hill was deemed the "perfect venue" for the campus, that could open its doors to around 600 degree and 115 postgraduate students from September 2017, if it gets the go-ahead.

Students will get hands-on experiences at the campus, which will include a lecture theatre, classrooms, practice rooms, a library, recording studios, an independent radio station, a sound and light control room and live music venue.

Decisions are yet to be made as to which of the existing buildings will be used for the college but there will also be a retail outlet, licenced bar and student accommodation on site.

David Barnard, who has experience across the music education and music industries sectors, will lead the institute as its principal and chief executive officer.

He said plans for the institute were forged in answer to a "cry for help" from the music industry, adding: “The sector as whole has a growing skills gap and we’re aiming to rectify it through industry-led, world class higher education."

“We’re passionate about delivering excellence and we want to make sure that when students leave us, they won’t just have a piece of paper showing they have a degree.

"They will be highly-employable graduates with the genuine technical skills, knowledge and experience that the music industry is currently crying out for.”

Mr Barnard continued: “We looked at lots of different places across the West Midlands, but Brierley Hill and the Waterfront stood out head and shoulders above the rest.

“The Black Country and its surrounding regions have a proud and diverse musical legacy and it’s something we’re passionate about reigniting.

“Our long-term vision is to create a music ‘village’ or campus, with the institute at its heart, driving innovation, enterprise and research that will be recognised globally."

The not-for-profit institute is seeking funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, with the rest of the money coming from private investment.

Led by a consortium of music industry experts, educators and key employers, who have recognised the need to fill a skills gap across the sector as whole, it's hoped the project will kickstart the regeneration of the whole Waterfront area.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “This is a very exciting development for Dudley and I am delighted the music institute have chosen to invest in Brierley Hill and create a state-of-the art venue for some of the country’s top music students. This will have a huge positive impact on the local economy and will bring hundreds of students to the area.”

Brierley Hill councillor Rachel Harris said she was looking forward to seeing the full plans, adding: "The proof in the college's success for Brierley Hill will be the impact it has on the high street, if we have lots of new people coming into the area willing to spend their money and mix with the community - then it will be a really good thing."

Dudley South MP Mike Wood added: "I know how much work has gone into getting the plans to this stage and really hope they are a success.

"A higher education college of this kind would make Brierley Hill a real centre of excellence and would complement my campaign to get an Enterprise Zone to the Waterfront and Harts Hill, transforming the area."