Former Stan Laurel school has cost £600,000 since arson attack

5:35pm Friday 15th March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dani Webb, Chief Reporter (South Durham)

Firefighters attend the scene of a fire at the old Bishop Auckland Grammar School, in March 2007 Firefighters attend the scene of a fire at the old Bishop Auckland Grammar School, in March 2007

MORE than £600,000 has been spent protecting a burnt out school once attended by Stan Laurel in the last five years.

Concerns have been raised that Durham County Council is not doing enough to sort out the future of the derelict King James I Grammar School, in South Church Road, Bishop Auckland.

The Grade-II listed building was extensively damaged in an arson attack in 2007. Since then it has been protected by plastic sheeting, scaffolding and a metal fence.

Durham County Council has spent £614,718 in the last five years on emergency stabilisation work, ongoing project work and security measures.

About £426,000 was recovered from the insurance company following the fire.

“To spend this money just to keep it in the way it is now is not value for money,” said Bishop Auckland county councillor Sam Zair.

“No-one wants to see our history demolished but we need to look at what can be achieved. “This is taxpayers money that could be used elsewhere.”

Weardale county councillor John Shuttleworth said: “It is the height of stupidity. The council is spending money on this building it just doesn’t have. We can’t even afford to fix the roads.

Dr Bob McManners, chairman of the Bishop Auckland Civic Society, said the group asked for access to the building before the fire with a view to maybe setting up a museum based on the mining heritage of the area but this was denied.

“The building has not been properly looked after,” he said. “It is an important piece of the town. Surely there must be grants that can be accessed. Usually where there is a will there is a way.

“It is in such an awful state I am concerned it could become beyond repair. It has not been properly protected from the elements.”

Sarah Robson, head of economic development with Durham County Council, said: “It’s important to note that the majority of this money was received via the insurance policy following the fire and has not been at cost to the tax payer.

“The council continues to look for partners willing to work with us to find a suitable future for the building.”

Comments (3)

11:08pm Fri 15 Mar 13

Better bishop says...

Come on councillor Zair , your a town and county councillor. What are you doing about this building in your ward? Have you as mr mcmaners suggested applied for funding? You moan about everything yet do nothing. Come to think what is the civic society doing sitting on there hands too. You take up these positions and just complain.
Come on councillor Zair , your a town and county councillor. What are you doing about this building in your ward? Have you as mr mcmaners suggested applied for funding? You moan about everything yet do nothing. Come to think what is the civic society doing sitting on there hands too. You take up these positions and just complain. Better bishop

11:06am Sat 16 Mar 13

Idontknowaboutyoubut says...

No doubt,the good councillors would prefer to see the money spent on enhancing their own interests,rather than preserving a little bit of Bishop Auckland, which should be restored and utilised as Dr McManners suggests.There are never any complaints when money is thrown at certain back streets that house a few cafes and pizza parlours.Some of us think THAT was a waste of tax payers money.
No doubt,the good councillors would prefer to see the money spent on enhancing their own interests,rather than preserving a little bit of Bishop Auckland, which should be restored and utilised as Dr McManners suggests.There are never any complaints when money is thrown at certain back streets that house a few cafes and pizza parlours.Some of us think THAT was a waste of tax payers money. Idontknowaboutyoubut

1:48pm Sat 16 Mar 13

margie says...

The council need to make a decision once and for all about what they want to do with that building, rather than let it rot until there is no longer any viable option. There are positive things planned for the future for Bishop now that Mr Ruffers plans for Auckland Castle are moving forward. Sureley this once beautiful, and certainly historic building (not only because of the Stan Laurel connection) could become part of this future. Some kind of museum would, to my mind be the ideal thing, and Im sure, combined with the castle, it would help with the recovery of the town. Get on with it, before its too late!!!!!
The council need to make a decision once and for all about what they want to do with that building, rather than let it rot until there is no longer any viable option. There are positive things planned for the future for Bishop now that Mr Ruffers plans for Auckland Castle are moving forward. Sureley this once beautiful, and certainly historic building (not only because of the Stan Laurel connection) could become part of this future. Some kind of museum would, to my mind be the ideal thing, and Im sure, combined with the castle, it would help with the recovery of the town. Get on with it, before its too late!!!!! margie

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree