Planning permission has been granted to the new £10m University Technical College South Durham and building work will start in early September on Aycliffe Business Park.
The UTC is being developed between partners the University of Sunderland, Hitachi Rail Europe and Gestamp Tallent Limited and will be funded by the Department for Education as a state funded but independent school.
Chair of Trustees Professor Gary Holmes of the University of Sunderland, commented: “This is good news for us and a major milestone for the UTC. Contractors can now start work on site later this summer.
“This landmark decision will allow us to realise our ambition to create an environment where students can thrive and develop the abilities that industry needs.”
A 12-month build will follow with the UTC due to open in September 2016. The UTC will be located on Long Tens Way, on the Aycliffe Business Park, close to Hitachi Rail Europe’s new plant.