A NORTH-EAST college has announced a £36m plan to build a campus.

Gateshead College plans to leave its site in Durham Road, Low Fell, and move to a four-storey building in the Baltic Business Park, near the quayside.

The college hopes the campus will be ready in September 2007. The Learning and Skills Council has given approval in principle for funding for the development.

The campus will house the college's main classrooms and facilities for subjects including business and IT. There will also be a performance study, conference area and a beauty therapy suite.

The college also plans to open a centre for automotive and logistic training at Team Valley and a centre for sports learning at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Gateshead Borough Council will tomorrow consider a planning application for the scheme. Two objections have been lodged. Concerns include the impact on lapwings on the site and the fear that parking problems in the area will get worse.

The college has about 22,000 students.