Policing chiefs have narrowed a search for the location of a new £80 million sterling officer training college in Northern Ireland down to three potential sites.
With a final decision due to be made within weeks, it is believed a major campaign by politicians and businessmen to bring the state-of-the-art academy to Derry has failed.
Officials involved in the bid to identify land for the complex, which could be used to train recruits on both sides of the Atlantic, slashed the field from 24.
They have now started a more detailed examination of the shortlist before they announce their choice in December.
It will be a massive boost to chief constable Hugh Orde who has hit out at thelack of proper facilities for his men and women.
Although the locations have not been disclosed, informed sources said one of the contenders was currently used as farmland.
One said: "There are three potential sites as a result of the first assessment. "They have been rated in order of preferences, but that doesn't mean the third choice can't come through during the next assessment."
A special team of senior police officers, policing board members and Northern Ireland Office officials was installed to find a new college to replace the crumbling Garnerville facilities in east Belfast.
They have travelled to North America and throughout the UK to look at other police academies to ensure top-class features are incorporated. Under the Patten blueprint for reforming the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the new complex was to be built by 2007.