A MULTI-MILLION pound school redevelopment project is expected to get the go-ahead when plans go before councillors next week.

A major revamp of the 210-pupil Cockerton CE Primary School, in Darlington, has been proposed, which would see the existing school demolished and replaced with a purpose-built facility on the same site.

Plans for the £3m scheme, submitted by the Diocese of Durham's education board, have been hailed as providing "a significant new educational facility for the area", and an ideal replacement for the outdated 80-year-old current school.

The new school would be built on the existing playing field, to enable pupils to attend the school as normal until the new facilities are ready.

The old school would then be demolished and the ground re-turfed and used as playing fields.

The proposed development would include two sports pitches, a multi-use games area, landscaped gardens and car parking provision.

The main building, in Newton Lane, has been designed to blend in with the local landscape, and planners have assured residents that noise and lighting from the new project will not cause a nuisance.

The school would include classrooms with interactive whiteboards, creative arts areas, outdoor classrooms and a performing arts studio.

The school's headteacher, Chris Metcalfe, said it would bring the school into the 21st Century.

A similar application was lodged earlier this year, but was later withdrawn to allow for some design issues to be worked on.

Darlington Borough Council planning officers are in favour of the revised scheme, and have recommended that councillors sitting on the authority's planning committee approve the plans.

The project will be considered on Thursday.

A report to the committee says the development would "provide a much-improved educational facility in the area".

It adds: "The application has been resubmitted and the position of the school amended to take into account the presence of a water main that runs through the site.

"The design and location of the school is considered to be acceptable in the context of the area and does not present any highway safety issues."

If planning permission is given, it is hoped that the building will be completed by next summer.