PLANS to demolish a 1940s college and replace it with a housing estate are moving forward.

Finchale, the charity which owns the site of Finchale Training College, already has outline planning permission for the scheme to build up to 100 houses on the land at Pity Me, Durham.

The college, which would have to be knocked down, has gained a degree of fame in recent years after being transformed into a 1970s police station for popular TV show Inspector George Gently.

Further details of the appearance and layout of the development have now been submitted to Durham County Council for approval.

Story Homes Ltd and Finchale Training College have made the application for 93 houses, which would be a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached houses and would have a total of 245 parking spaces in garages, drives and on the street.

Finchale is making the move to try and become financially secure to ensure the future of the charity.

The charity, which supports veterans to find employment, has announced plans to move to a newly built office on the Belmont Industrial Estate, in Durham, which will be ready by November.

A statement by Story Homes said: “It is critical that the proposals for the redevelopment of the existing site are progressed in parallel to the relocation timetable.

“The charity has committed to the relocation on the back of the anticipated redevelopment and any delays in the determination of the reserved matters application could have catastrophic consequences.

“Delays would result in the deletion of reserve funds which could put Finchale at risk of liquidation with the loss of a Durham charity that has been in existence since 1943.”

The scheme has faced opposition because it is in Durham’s green belt, which means it is protected unless there are “exceptional circumstances”.

The architects for the estate say it is important for it to be “sensitively” designed to blend with the green surroundings, particularly to the northern and southern edges where there is extensive existing woodland.

There is also existing woodland on the western boundary, next to Chester Low Road.

Story Homes said: “The site has an outline planning permission firmly establishing the principle of the redevelopment of the previously developed site for a residential-led family housing scheme.

“It will facilitate the relocation of Finchale, an important local charity, within Durham and secure its viable long-term future, including securing local jobs.”