The new £17 million development currently going up on the grassed area at the college's St Mary's Walk site in Bridlington should be ready by August next year.

When it opens it will be one of the "greenest" buildings in the region.

The architects have incorporated a range of environmentally-friendly features in the building, which include a whole range of money-saving features.

For example, rainwater will be harvested to flush the loos. Ground source heating will be used to top up heating systems and help cool the building in the summer which means saving on gas and electricity.

A series of "evacuated tubes" will also harness sunlight and generate more heating support to further lower gas bills.

Most internal rooms will be fitted with light and movement sensors designed to switch off lights if they do not detect people in a room for a given length of time and internal temperatures will be controlled using a natural ventilation system so large heating boosts are not required on cold days.

Project manager Richard Sellick said: "The new campus will be a stunning building to look at and East Riding College is working hard to ensure that we have a building with a zero carbon footprint by investing in proven modern technology.

"The new systems will mean greater efficiencies that will last for generations."

The college is also investing heavily in changing the way it works to ensure the most efficient use of the building and other resources.

One aim is to develop ways of working with documents which would mean it is not always necessary to keep paper copies or post information between sites.

A software system will also shut down any computers left on in the building when it is not in use.

The new equipment will also produce less heat and need less power.

The existing college campus is still in operation until the new one is completed.

It will give the college a 6,200sq m new main building with 44 teaching rooms ranging from standard rooms with the latest in teaching technology to entirely new commercial areas like hair and beauty salons and construction workshops.

A new Learning Resource Centre, which will combine library and IT facilities, a fitness suite and a new sports pitch with changing facilities.

Among studies at the new campus will be construction studies, engineering, art and design, humanities, early years and care, IT and business, catering, sports, travel, hair and beauty, foundation studies and key skills.