A COLLEGE’S plan to upgrade its facilities for science subjects so students are well placed to enter the world of work could take a step forward next week.

New College Durham’s proposed expansion of its technology block is recommended for approval by councillors on Tuesday.

The college, at Framwellgate Moor, in Durham, wants to build a three-storey, brick and grey-clad extension north of the existing technology building.

The scheme aims to enable the college to run new STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) courses.

It would feature new carpentry and brick workshops on the ground floor, classrooms including specialist IT suites and two further workshops on the first floor and a conference room on the second floor.

The plan also includes landscaping.

The building’s opening hours would mirror the existing college hours of 8.30am to 9pm weekdays and 8.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

In a statement to planners, college principal Ian Walton wrote: “The scheme, following the completion of the advanced manufacturing centre in 2017, will allow the college to align modern, fit for purpose, specialist education programmes with the requirements of industry and business.

"Ensuring New College Durham students are given the best possible opportunities with tangible skills and knowledge to enter employment on completion of their studies.”

It would also open up potential new sources of funding and industry sponsorship for the college, he said.

The college already offers a variety of courses and higher education qualifications ranging from construction and engineering workshops, health and beauty salons, sports and performing arts and general teaching.

The site is west of Pity Me and the closest houses 100m away and though 21 car parking spaces would be lost, there will still be 896 on the site.

Officers at Durham County Council will recommend approval of the scheme when it goes before the area planning committee (central and east) at County Hall. They note the proposal would improve and expand the range of facilities offered from the site and that it reflects a high standard of design, mirroring the host building.

They add: “Whilst the mass of the existing building would increase this would not be to an extent that it would appear overly dominant or adversely impact upon residential amenity, parking, access and highway safety, public rights of way, land contamination or drainage.”