A SECONDARY school could be getting a brand new building as part of a programme to replace those in the worst condition.

Plans for a new school building for Durham Community Business College, in Ushaw Moor, were first announced several years ago but have now been officially submitted to Durham County Council.

The two-storey building would be built on vacant land, formerly used as car parking, to allow the school to function as normal during construction.

It would replace the ageing B and C blocks, on the north west of the site and will include a wide range of new facilities, including a dining area and specialist technology classrooms.

The college, which is part of the Durham Federation, was granted funding in 2015 as part of the Government’s £2billion Priority School Building Programme, which was aimed at replacing those considered to be in the worst condition.

The school has been designed by construction company BAM, which is also responsible for building four others in the North-East through the same funding programme.

A statement for the company said: “The project involves the demolition of Blocks B and C of the existing school premises, and the construction of a new state-of-the-art block containing additional educational facilities.

“The development aims to provide a high quality learning environment to support Durham Community Business College’s ethos to pursue academic excellence and student happiness.”

It added: “The application represents a unique opportunity to deliver significant improvements to the educational facilities on offer to pupils at Durham Community Business College through the Priority School Building Programme, with considerable benefits to the wider community of Ushaw Moor and the surrounding area.

The build involves extending the school into the green belt by one metre.

To meet the conditions of the funding, the building must be open by September.