College for training farmers gets refurbishment
LDRSPlans to demolish "inadequate" college buildings and build new facilities for training farming and agricultural workers have been approved.
The redevelopment of East Durham and Houghall Community College, near Durham, will see the laboratory blocks and conference hall removed and the construction of a new teaching centre.
A new hay barn, sheep shed and grain store will also be built according to the local democracy reporting service.
Helen McCoy, assistant principal at the college, told planners at Durham County Council that without the refurbishment "eventual closure of the college cannot be ruled out".
The college offers courses food production and animal welfare.
It is also the largest provider of further education to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the North East.
Ms McCoy told the committee that the current conference hall "has no heating and it floods".
"We have an insufficient number of classrooms, the buildings have insufficient electric supply, asbestos, and an insufficient number of toilets," she added.
Ms McCoy also said that some of the "most vulnerable learners" were being taught in the equivalent of "a small living room".
Ms McCoy added that "without this development the college cannot meet demand" and that this would "particular affect vulnerable students who will be left without suitable education opportunities".
The City of Durham Trust objected to the application because the proposed buildings are a development in the Green Belt.
But the application was approved unanimously.
Craig Martin, Labour councillor said: " If this was just a college or a school, I would probably be raising my eyebrows."
"But I fully support this on the basis that it is the engine for producing the next people working in our rural environment."