A SCHOOL scheduled for demolition could temporarily house a new campus of one of the region’s universities.

Teesside University is seeking to use the Eastbourne School building, in Darlington, from September so it can offer a large range of courses in the town.

The university hopes to construct a £13m purpose-built campus at Central Park next to Darlington College which should be ready by 2011.

However, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet will be asked to approve plans to allow the university to use Eastbourne School, off the Fairway, from September.

It was due to be demolished in September when the Church of England Academy moves to a new building at Hundens Park.

The cabinet is being advised that by postponing the building’s demolition by two years it will benefit the borough by allowing the university to offer new courses two years earlier.

Postponing the proposed demolition would also give the council time to see if the property market improved.

If so, the cost of the demolition of the building could be passed to developers, rather than the council paying the bill.

Councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for efficiency and resources said: “Allowing the university to use the old Eastbourne School building offers benefits for everyone.

“It means higher education courses will be available here sooner, the council might not have to spend money demolishing the building and the university can build-up a customer base ahead of its new campus opening in 2011.”

The university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson, said: “We are keen to begin offering more higher education opportunities for people in the Darlington area as soon as possible, and I am delighted that we are now going to be able to begin to offer courses from this autumn.

“This project is one of the university’s highest priorities and I am very appreciative of the support that we are receiving from all of our partners in the town.”

If the proposals are approved, the university will carry out some improvement work to the Eastbourne School building.

Parking issues will be addressed by offering free parking on site, to avoid potential problems caused by street parking around the Fairway.

The council’s cabinet is recommended to approve the proposals when it meets on Tuesday, subject to the university having satisfactory security arrangements in place.