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University plans given approval


PLANS to open a temporary university campus in Darlington have been passed by councillors bringing students to the town two years early.

Darlington College is set to become a satellite campus of the University of Teesside accepting its first students in September 2011.

The university hopes to construct a £13m purpose-built campus at Central Park next to Darlington College.

However, Darlington Borough Council's cabinet group has approved plans for the university to use Eastbourne School, from September.

The school is set to close at the end of this term before it moves into its new academy in the autumn.

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for efficiency and resources, said at this week's cabinet meeting: "They wish to see a build-up of their student numbers over the two years before they get the new development.

"There would be much benefit for us as an authority and for the town. It would bring all those benefits two years early."

The plans also received support from across the parties.

Councillor Heather Scott, leader of the Conservative group, said: "It is a fantastic opportunity. We must do anything we can do to get the university facility in the town."

Following the meeting, university vice-chancellor Prof Graham Henderson said: "We are looking forward with great excitement to our new state-of-the-art university building opening in Darlington in 2011, but we are keen to begin offering more higher education opportunities for people in the Darlington area as soon as possible."

The university will carry out some improvement works to the Eastbourne building before opening.


Your Say YourNorth-East

BMD, Darlington says...
1:19pm Wed 8 Jul 09

Has the council put any thought into the extra traffic congestion this is going to create, this labour run council have a current programme of slowing traffic on the major roads in Darlington, putting more students on the roads traveling to Teeside University at peak times will create havoc. Plus this improvement work will no doubt be another burdon on the Council tax payer?

markdarlo, Darlington says...
5:05pm Wed 8 Jul 09

BMD if you read the page, it says the university will be carrying out the improvements not the council, so no it wont be a burden on the council tax payer. as for traffic it wont make it any worse than it allready is. this project is a huge step forward for darlington and we should be welcoming it and not having a good old moan !

BMD, Darlington says...
6:06pm Wed 8 Jul 09

markdarlo,
Please study a little more, the University HOPES carry out the building of the NEW campus, but the improvements will be at Eastboure School.
You will find any Major Capital Projects that the Council has been involved in, cost the Tax Payer.
I agree the project is a great step forward, but why not set the Campus next to the Eastern Bypass Corridor (Another Council White Elephant). Surely this would ease the traffic and at least someone would use the road!

markdarlo, Darlington says...
6:13pm Wed 8 Jul 09

lol yes true, hopefully that will be the case when its transfered to central park

melwilson, Darlington says...
3:18pm Thu 9 Jul 09

BMD, I quote from you "putting more students on the roads traveling to Teeside University at peak times will create havoc"

How many students do you know that can afford cars??
Seriously though, this is can only good news for the town surely.

melwilson, Darlington says...
4:09pm Thu 9 Jul 09

apologies, my grammar is appalling

isabel04, darlington says...
4:36pm Thu 9 Jul 09

This is excellent news for Darlington. Jobs will be created, student accomodation will have to be provided (building contracts etc) and shops will benefit not to mention the possibility of people applying to university who are not able to travel out of town gaining professional qualifications giving them a chance to better their career prospects. If public transport is improved, this will minimise congestion.

BMD, Darlington says...
7:24pm Thu 9 Jul 09

Melwilson, I quote you:

How many students do you know that can afford cars??

The Double yellow lines have been installed on Haughton road, directly opposite the College due to students parking on the road.

Hope that answers your question!

stevegg, middleton st george says...
7:56pm Thu 9 Jul 09

Dont know if this is a good or bad thing? Have you seen rural areas around long established universities - they are a mecca for greedy landlords creating ghettos for students, devaluing housing and are riddled with crime. Only time will tell!

Miss C, Richmond says...
9:43am Fri 10 Jul 09

"The university will carry out some improvement works to the Eastbourne building before opening"
is the final line to the article.
I agree with the transport worries though - an improved bus service would be an idea?
As someone who was dissuaded from university due to high costs and needing to live away (no car!) it is a very positive thing to see Teeside University setting up shop in Darlington.

BMD, Darlington says...
12:18pm Fri 10 Jul 09

"The university will carry out SOME improvement works to the Eastbourne building before opening"

I word like to emphaise the word "SOME". The DBC will be itching to get involved, trust me.

emmadubleu, darlington says...
10:31am Wed 15 Jul 09

I think it is really good for people like me ( a student about to start QE college) I only know a couple of people at that age to have cars. There is a train station in darlington remember! which i think would most likely be used by students as they can somtimes get discounts on the trains. I cant wait for the uni to be built it is so handly i will not have to worry about travelling to teeside or newcastle anymore :)

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