ONE man's dream of building a £70m university in Norton could, he says, create hundreds of jobs and turn the town into a multi-cultural centre for Ryedale.

Alan Foster, of The World Martial Arts Academy based in Wapentake College, Commercial Street, Norton, says his plans to build a university bringing in 2,000 students a year would create 400 jobs and inject £20m into the local economy.

He aims to bring in 2,000 full-time students a year from China, Japan and other parts of Asia to take martial arts courses at a new, purpose-built facility somewhere in Norton.

Mr Foster has received an agreement in principle, he says, from a source of funding. He also has an offer of possible matched funding which he claims could provide a total of £140m for the project.

The courses he proposes would be combined with other studies such as oriental medicine, cultural and international development studies and business studies.

He said: "Usually, the idea is to educate overseas students and then send them back. The idea here is to keep what they have learnt in the area and the aim is to create jobs locally for them.

"I want to see them stay and open businesses like clinics for Chinese medicine. I think it would bring a significant income to the area."

Yet Norton mayor Coun Keith Mennell, urges a little caution in Mr Foster's plans.

"We have to move forward," he said, "But I think this could be too big a move."

He added: "It's a very ambitious plan and I would like to wish Mr Foster luck with it. But I feel his ideas are somewhat premature in years for Norton.

"This would be better suited for a larger town or city. I feel Norton does not have sufficient entertainment and leisure to accommodate such a project."

He added: "This would have to be introduced gradually. I would be very pleased if there could have something that created 400 jobs, but I feel this is not the right sort of project for Norton."

Mr Foster has been in talks with local estate agents over possible land acquisition. He has also had a meeting with Ryesport which runs the area's pools and other facilities.

Peter Walker, Ryesport chief executive, said Ryesport would welcome any potential sporting students into the town.

"They would use our facilities. We have had discussions with Mr Foster but as things stand no progress has been made," he said.

Alan Foster has also been in discussion with Ryedale District Council's economic development department and is meeting with the council's planning department next week to gauge the suitability in principle of his ideas.

At his meeting with Mr Foster, Andrew Leeming, economic development manager for Ryedale District Council said that the keystone to developing the project was to develop a full business plan, ascertain needs and sustainability.

"Mr Foster needs to talk to other colleges and universities and to develop a business plan showing things like just how he would get the money and how the project could be sustainable.

"He also needs to show the impact on the towns and show the negative and positive effects and needs to show he has the right location.

"When he has a full business plan and his development plan showing funding and sustainability, he should come back to us and we can consider the plan further."

Mr Foster is prepared to set up the university anywhere in Ryedale, but prefers Norton.

"I'm sick of seeing all the shops closing in Norton. And look at things like our carnival. Imagine 2,000 students and the dragons dancing in the street. I would organise cultural events and bring the students into the community, too.

"You look at York. It's a multi-cultural centre. It's just like being being abroad there. That's what it should be like here in Norton."

Updated: 09:12 Wednesday, October 02, 2002