PLANS have been lodged to demolish a former school which the applicant claims is no longer fit for purpose.

Durham County Council is being asked to consider the scheme which seeks to carry out the work at the old St Anne’s School, Bishop Auckland.

The building, near Bishop Auckland FC's former ground, was formerly the site of Durham County Council’s education offices.

Applicant Brian Robinson, of Coundon, is keen to demolish the site despite the council indicating that it would like to retain it and put flats into it.

Mr Robinson and his wife, Helen, own the site and say there has been extensive vandalism to the buildings, such as a fire which destroyed part of the building.

Anti-social behaviour and vandalism is still taking place around the site. There are also concerns that rats are living in the derelict buildings.

Similar plans lodged by the county council to demolish the old Tudhoe Grange School, on Durham Road, Spennymoor, were met with protests.

Former pupils and residents have protested about the scheme after pupils were moved to the new Whitworth Park and Sixth Form, in Spennymoor.

The St Anne’s scheme is currently being considered by members of the county council’s planning department.