Approval has been secured to build a £139m joint public services college at Desertcreat after the former Health Minister originally stalled the project.

The way is now open to submit a full planning application and launch a tendering process to develop the state of the art college on the outskirts of Cookstown.

Training for the Police Service Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Prison Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service will be delivered at the 250 acre site once it becomes operational in 2015.

This news comes after stalling under the previous UUP Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey. Edwin Poots has accelerated its progression by approving the Public Safety element of it with regard to the Northern Ireland Fire Service.

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The business case hit the desk of the Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson on September 13 and received approval three weeks later.

David Ford said: "This is an important milestone for everyone associated with the Desertcreat project and one which brings closer the building of an integrated public services training college with world class facilities.



"Our police officers, prison officers and fire fighters put their lives on the line for people across Northern Ireland day and daily and they deserve training facilities of the highest quality."



The Department of Finance and Personnel approved the business case for Desertcreat at the end of last week.

Within the next six months a full planning application will be lodged and a tendering process for developing the college launched. Work is due to start on the green field site in 2013, with the college opening two years later.



DUP MLA and member of the Policing Board, Ian McCrea said: "This will provide jobs, investment and a much needed cash injection into the local economy."

(LB/BMcC)