TOWN chiefs appear to be ready to commit to close to �1million of funding to help push ahead with a second phase development for University Campus Suffolk, it emerged today.

TOWN chiefs appear to be ready to commit to close to �1million of funding to help push ahead with a second phase development for University Campus Suffolk, it emerged today.

Concern had been mounting that due to the current economic situation Ipswich Borough Council may not agree to a request from the university for �910,000 to help with the project.

As revealed by the Evening Star earlier this month there was a split in the council's Tory and Lib Dem coalition administration over whether the money should be stumped up.

A report on the matter, which will go before the council's executive committee next week, will recommend handing the money over - half this year and half next year - rather than all of it up front.

However other options considered include not handing over the cash at all. The final decision will be made by councillors on Tuesday.

Ipswich's Labour MP Chris Mole is calling on town chiefs to support the project.

Mr Mole said the case for continued investment in UCS is strong - and would provide a real benefit for the future of Ipswich, helping keep more graduates in the town and supporting the construction industry at a time when less houses are being built.

In a letter to leader of the council, Liz Harsant, Mr Mole said: “I am writing to urge you to support investment by Ipswich Borough Council in the second phase of University Campus Suffolk.

“This is possibly the single most important development in our town”

“To secure investment by other partners we must show the continuing commitment the community has to this project.”

The first stage of phase two, a new six-storey building on Ipswich waterfront, containing state-of-the-art sports science, science and health related facilities.