THE scheme to provide a new Freebrough Community College building has taken a massive step forward after planning bosses gave it the go-ahead.

Redcar and Cleveland Council's planning committee gave outline permission to demolish the former Warsett School buildings at Brotton and for the erection of new buildings on the site, off Linden Road.

The final design will be subject to a further detailed application for a school, along with arrangements for car and bus parking.

Plans will now be referred to the Government Office for the North-East as the project is a departure from the Local Plan, but the authority is confident the development will be given the go-ahead.

The council's cabinet member for education, Coun Steve Kay said: "We recognise that today's decision marks a major step forward towards a state-of-the-art college for east Cleveland.

"The drive to get this school has been fraught with difficulties, but at last positive measures are being taken to see it become reality."

The new college, scheduled to open in 2006, will house students from two existing colleges at Skelton and Loftus.

Coun Kay added: "At this stage, we would like to thank all the young people and parents for their understanding, especially since the closure of the Warsett site, which has inevitably caused some inconvenience with travel arrangements.

"But I am pleased to report that those arrangements have been accepted because the community supports our aim to deliver this new, top-class educational facility."

A decision was made in July to create a single site at Brotton for the 1,000-pupil community college.

While building work is under way, all Freebrough's year seven and year eight pupils are being taught at Skelton and students in years nine, ten and 11 are being taught at Loftus.