PLANS for a £17.3m college building for south Durham learners have been approved by council planners.

The replacement building at Bishop Auckland College now needs grant support from the Learning and Skills Council, which could be confirmed this week.

Work would start early next year to be completed in spring 2007.

People in the Woodhouse Lane area have been consulted over the development, which would see a three-storey building replacing an outdated 1958 structure.

Joanne Tait, college principal and chief executive, said: "Over the years, the college has changed its courses and its buildings to meet the needs of students.

"This new college will take us all well into the 21st Century and continue to provide excellent learning opportunities for young people and adults, with significant improvements to services and facilities.

"It is a very exciting time for us all and we are looking forward to working in partnership with students, employers, communities and local authorities in building the new campus."

The college has 14,000 full and part-time students, who are drawn from a wide area of south Durham, with 560 members of staff.

It achieves 20,000 different qualifications a year and provides education and training for 800 businesses.

Councillor Neil Stonehouse, leader of Wear Valley District Council, told development control committee members: "This development is to be welcomed. The building is long overdue for a makeover."

Some members were concerned about a plan to reduce car parking, from 450 spaces to 300, with a transport plan outlining opportunities for public transport, cycle and pedestrian access.

Councillor Derek Jago, who voted against the plan because of the reduced parking, said: "The college is on the outskirts of town and people will drive there. It will drive parking onto the streets and we have to consider the people who live in the area."