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THE North-East's foremost agricultural college is to be put up for sale within days.

Bosses at East Durham College will put the Houghall campus, on the outskirts of Durham City, on the market next week.

Potential buyers will choose between purchasing a third, twothirds or the entire 500-acre site.

If either of the first two options were chosen, millions of pounds would be spent upgrading the remainder of the campus.

However, should the whole campus be sold, a potential new site has been identified.

Principal and chief executive Ian Prescott said a decision on the college's future would be reached by the end of September. He refused to name the potential new college site, but said it was in County Durham and described it as "ideal".

Mr Prescott said he wanted to create a college with 21st century facilities and double its student numbers to 2,000.

He said the changes would bring no job cuts; and increased student numbers could lead to extra jobs being created.

"I'm very positive about this. At Houghall, the buildings are looking tired. People get attached to old buildings but I want new facilities.

"I'm trying to move with the times. The future, to me, for Houghall is extremely bright. We're going to build, whatever happens, a new land-based college."

Mr Prescott is confident even the sale of a third of the college, including Houghall Farm and High Houghall stately home, could pay for the £17m-worth of development planned.

This includes en suite accommodation for an extra 200 students, new conference facilities, an equine unit and a restaurant.

If two-thirds of the campus are sold, farm houses and an equine unit would be included.

It is thought the college has already attracted interest from a number of potential buyers.

Staff were briefed on the changes on Tuesday.

East Durham College's Peterlee campus, where most of its courses are taught, is undergoing a £40m renovation, which is due to be completed by the end of the year.

Buildings at Houghall, which hosts farming and horticulturelinked courses, date back to the 1940s. The college stands on greenbelt land opposite Maiden Castle sports ground, which is owned by Durham University.

1:30pm Friday 4th July 2008

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