PLANS to rebuild a leading Durham comprehensive school on one site have cleared another major hurdle.

No objections were lodged against the plan for the building on Durham Johnston School's Crossgate Moor campus and Durham County Council has now given the plan its approval.

Had objections been made to the statutory notice outlining the plan, the decision might have had to be referred to the Secretary of State for Education.

The proposals, estimated to cost about £25m, will provide a replacement for the school's ageing buildings, which are on separate sites at Crossgate Moor and Whinney Hill.

The 1,400-pupil school is popular because of its academic success, regularly listed as one of the best state comprehensives in the country.

Because of the school's location, the redevelopment plans were not eligible for funding under the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme, which is targeted at improving facilities in areas meeting the official definition of deprivation.

Previous consultation by the county council on the plan drew an objection from the governors of Durham Community Business College - formerly Deerness Valley Comprehensive School - who questioned why the Durham Johnston scheme was being pushed ahead while they were waiting for Building Schools for the Future assistance.

Three responses were made to the statutory notice, including one from Durham City councillor for the Bowburn area, Mike Syer, who is also a Durham Johnston governor.

He said: "I am obviously delighted that a new, purpose-built school is to be built. I have nothing but praise for the county council's commitment to this project and its determination to make it happen.''

But he added that he thought it was "of the utmost importance'' that children from the Bowburn area - who fell within the Durham Johnston catchment area following the closure of the village's Landsdowne Comprehensive School in 1985 - would continue to be able to attend the school when it was redeveloped.

Another city councillor, Maureen Smith, welcomed the suggested closed-circuit security camera coverage of the school to help tackle bullying and anti-social behaviour.

The council's cabinet has endorsed the proposal and will receive a report on funding arrangements in the New Year.