PLANS to create a £10 million engineering centre of excellence for 14 to 19-year-olds have been submitted to the local authority.

Willmott Dixon Construction is seeking permission to build the South Durham University Technical College (UTC) in Newton Aycliffe, close to Hitachi Rail Europe’s £82 million 730-job factory.

A funding arrangement between the Government and Durham UTC Trust was confirmed in March and the centre would operate as a state-funded but independent 600-place school specialising in advanced manufacturing and engineering.

The full plans can now be viewed on Durham County Council’s website and members of the public have until Thursday, May 28 to have its say.

Located on Long Tens Way, the UTC would include a three-storey engineering block, flexible dining space, flexible sports hall or lecture theatre and a two-storey teaching and administration wing.

A car park for up to 77 cars, pedestrian access and multi-use games area are also included in the plans for the five-acre site, as well as cycle storage and a grassed area.

In documents submitted with the application, planning agents Ryder Architecture explained how the design is flexible to allow the UTC to respond to changing curriculums.

It described open plan and focused learning opportunities in” real working environments”, including high end theory labs and prototyping zones, as well as science and ICT suites and a learning and resources centre.

The agent continued: “The South Durham UTC will have an engineering education bias, making a significant contribution to the vibrant engineering sector in this region and to the life chances of hundreds of young people.

“Job growth in this sector is rapid with the arrival of Hitachi Rail Europe and the continued success of Gestamp Tallent and other local engineering employers.

“Together with the University of Sunderland, Gestamp and Hitachi form the South Durham UTC Trust sponsors group. Locating the new UTC on the business park in Newton Aycliffe sends a powerful signal about skills and prosperity for this region.”

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson welcomed the news, adding: “This will provide an opportunity for our young people to take advantages of all the new businesses on the site. It will also sustain the industrial estate by giving local people the skills required to work there.”

The application will be determined by a planning committee on a date to be fixed and if approved the centre would open next September.

To comment on the plans visit durham.gov.uk