Sunderland City Council has signed off a £15m deal with Brims Construction to design and build the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy planned for the city.

The project was to be delivered by Tolent Construction but stalled when the North East builder collapsed into administration last February.

At the time Brims, which is run by the two sons of former Tolent founder John Wood, stepped in to buy just the Teesside operation of the crashed building group, saving around 150 jobs.

Now it has been confirmed Brims will deliver the facility in the Sheepfolds area of the city..

Operated by Sunderland College, the facility will enable Sunderland to build the skills-base to upgrade the city’s homes locally, using MMC, low carbon, renewable energy and smart technology.

The proposal consists of the refurbishment of the existing engine shed on the corner of Hay Street and the erection of a new build workshop.