THE all-clear was yesterday given for a long-awaited college extension.

A High Court judge dismissed an appeal by the residents' group Washington First Forum (WFF), blocking City of Sunderland College's proposed £7.5m development in Princess Anne Park, near the town's Galleries shopping centre.

Judge Mrs Justice Smith, sitting in London's High Court, refused the WFF's bid to have part of the park declared a village green.

The decision allows college authorities to proceed with the development, which they claim has been postponed by two years due to the wrangle.

College vice-principal Colin Hindmarch said the delay has been "frustrating", but hopes work will start on-site shortly.

He said: "It's so clear Washington does need its own purpose-built college.

"It would mean far more people would go on to further education than do now.

"This is a common-sense decision. It never was a village green in any form."

Robert Duggan, acting chairman of the WWF, which collected a 4,000-signature petition against the plan, said: "There's not a single person in Washington being denied further education at the moment.

"We just feel this is the wrong site. There are at least 20 other sites in Washington and others are becoming available all the time."

The college claims it has looked at about 25 alternative sites, but found none as suitable as Princess Anne Park