A SURVEY carried out by the Liberal Democrats shows residents living near Darlington College of Technology want to see it replaced with another community facility.

A questionnaire was sent to more than 1,000 homes in the West End of Darlington, near to the college site in Cleveland Avenue.

It was carried out in June after the party heard that the college could be moving.

It was announced earlier this week that the site in Cleveland Avenue would be sold, and the college would move, probably to the Torringtons site, in Yarm Road, Darlington.

Now the results of the Liberal Democrats survey will be distributed. It will also include a statement from the principal of the college, Sarah Farley, about the reasons for the move.

The survey showed that 44 per cent of people in the area were in favour of the move, while 54 per cent were opposed to it. Those in favour said it would improve the parking situation in the area, but the majority of those opposed said the college should be in the town centre because it is easy for the disabled, elderly and those with young children to use.

The survey also asked what should replace the college when it moves from the site.

Forty-nine per cent said the site should continue to be used, in some way as a community facility, while 48 per cent said they would be happy for the area to be sold for housing as long as some open space was included in the plan.

Brian Fink, chairman of the Liberal Democrats in Darlington, said: "We wanted to put the survey out as soon as we heard about the possible move because we wanted people in the area to feel they really were part of the consultation.

"Copies of the results will be sent to the borough council and the college."