A COUNCIL has teamed up with a college for a £70,000 revamp of a block of flats.

District of Easington Council is working with East Durham and Houghall Community College to redevelop the flats in Fulwell Road, Peterlee.

Both organisations hope the renovation will be completed by the Autumn term, in September, when the flats will be let to students from one of the college's sporting academies.

Only four of the 18 flats are occupied, and the area is a focus for thieves and vandals.

It is hoped the development will put an end to anti-social behaviour and improve the quality of life for residents.

Dene ward councillor Sid Huntingdon said: "I am highly delighted about these plans. It will be good for the area and represents the best deal for everyone."

Council leader Councillor Alan Napier said: "The quality of life for people living near the flats would improve significantly, the college would continue to develop as a centre of sporting excellence, and the council would benefit from having the flats occupied - both in terms of community safety and rental income."

He said: "Both the council and college recognise that housing young people needs to be undertaken in a way which will ensure they are properly supervised and ensure that their neighbours are fully respected."

College staff will live on the premises and supervise tenants 24-hours-a-day. Closed circuit television cameras will also be installed to deter anti-social behaviour.

East Durham and Houghall College has received national recognition for its sporting academies and attracts students from across the country.

A college spokesman said: "We feel it is our duty to integrate these people into the local community."

People living in the flats will be re-homed by the council.

Letters explaining the proposals are being distributed, and residents will be consulted.

Council officers and college staff will hold monthly meetings with representatives of the recently-established Dene House Residents' Group.

l Any residents who want to discuss the scheme should contact Pamela Cox, at the District of Easington, on 0191-586 2603.