SHIPLEY College’s controversial new £2 million Jonathan Silver Building will open its doors to students next week.

The two-storey centre will offer a purpose-built education setting for up to 75 students with learning difficulties aged 16 to 24.

It features a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen area, three classrooms including IT, a one-to-one tuition room and break out area which students can use to relax.

The two-year project in Exhibition Road, Saltaire, was completed yesterday as the Telegraph & Argus, College governors and employers who have taken on students were given a guided tour of the facilities.

A group of ten to 15 staff and support workers will be based at the site, which opens to students on Monday.

It has been funded through a £1.7m grant from the Educational Funding Agency and backing from a series of companies.

But the plans were met with some opposition by last year, by residents who claimed it would ruin the feel of the World Heritage Site.

Saltaire Village Society held a meeting with college principal Nav Chohan to discuss the plans.

The building replaced greenhouses used by the College's horticultural department on Exhibition Road. It is the first significant new building to be constructed within Saltaire for 129 years.

It is within Saltaire's Conservation Area and borders its World Heritage Site.

Mr Chohan defended the site and said it has been backed by residents as well as receiving negative comments.

He said: "We have made the building sympathetic to its surroundings.

"Some people oppose any kind of change. But most people have been very positive.

"We have had as many positive comments as negative.

"It's more about the students than the building that we can help them make the most of their lives.

"The college will give good facilities and a launchpad for their future.

"It's a stepping post and gives them quality facilities for young people. It will help develop their confidence and employability for young people.

"We are also trying to work with employers to offer opportunities to young people.

"In the last couple of years we have invested around £2m in our existing buildings to maintain the heritage of Saltaire and this new building is crucial to our ability to support the growing educational needs of the local community."

Courses on offer to students include employability skills, vocational studies and the College will run supported internships.

The building has been named after entrepreneur Jonathan Silver, who displayed early business skills at Bradford Grammar School, spending lunch breaks in auction rooms buying and selling furniture.

He went on to buy Salts Mill and transformed it into retail and commercial units and an art gallery, now the centrepiece of Saltaire as a World Heritage Site.