Derwentside College's planned £8m move to the site of the old Consett steelworks will pave the way for a redevelopment of the existing site.

Planners at Derwentside District Council have published a draft development brief for the site.

The site is thought to be ideal for a residential development, although the council says it could be used for community facilities, leisure, tourism or recreation, in conjunction with Consett Park.

The college is on the threshold of securing funding for its proposed move to a location in Project Genesis. If secured, the new centre is expected to be opened in the latter half of 2002