Plans for NI's new £142m emergency services college are now approaching the last hurdle in a long-drawn-out process.

The Desertcreat College near Cookstown will train police, fire and rescue personnel as well as prison service staff.

The state-of-the-art facility was supposed to open in 2007 after the NI Police Training College had received initial outline approval.

But the long delayed process has been boosted today, as it emerged that it is almost at the end of the 'Pre Application Discussion' (PAD) stage with the Planning Service - with vital funding decisions now looming.

It means the project to construct the new training college for police and emergency services is virtually 'up and ready to go' and now hinges on agreed funds to get the long-delayed Co Tyrone project off the ground.

That is expected to happen in about four weeks, then moving on to get final approval from the planners before going out to tender.

The indications are that this should all be underway by October.

Project Manager, Colin McCrossan of the Strategic Investment Board that is overseeing the huge project remains hopeful.

He said today: "It is true that we are approaching the end of the Business Case Review by the funding departments - both Health and Justice - as well as being at the end of the PAD process with the Planning Service."

However, he said that funding approval "would indeed be the main issue and the only one - once those two areas are cleared".

"Hopefully we will be in that position in approximately four weeks," he said.

The business case for the Public Services Training College was submitted in December 2009 - with subsequent delays caused by both the general election and various issues surrounding the Stormont Executive's recent spending review.

However, it has actually been progressing through the various stages and with the NI Planning Service since the original application in 2005.

Now, it is anticipated that the remaining funds will be agreed from the Department of Health once the Minister Michael McGimpsey is clearer on the impact of proposed spending cuts and how this will affect his budgets before final costing can be approved.

See: NI Emergency Services College 'Put Off'

(BMcC/KMcA)