WORK is underway on the site of a former secondary school to allow a special school to move to bigger premises.

The partial demolition of Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School, at Greencroft, near Stanley, started this week.

The site is being prepared to allow nearby Hare Law School to move in.

Durham County Councillor Thomas Nearney, who is a governor at the special school, said: “This is a key milestone for an important project in the area, representing over £3m of capital investment from Durham County Council into education.

“Although saddened by the sight of old buildings, which I am sure hold many memories, being demolished, I am confident that such investment will give students at Hare Law what they deserve, first-class facilities that match the first-class teaching offered.”

Greencroft Business and Enterprise Community School closed when it became part of North Durham Academy during a merger with Stanley School of Technology in 2011.

The building has been empty since July 2013 when pupils broke up for the summer holidays to start the new school year at the £30m purpose built academy on Chester Road in Stanley in September that year.

The plan includes the demolition of around a third of the existing building and the remodelling of the existing structure.

Hare Law School offers specialist education for children with complex educational needs, including autism, from four to 16 years old.

But its current site, near Annfield Plain, is no longer suitable and cannot cater for the school’s desire to expand what is currently on offer.

There is currently no dedicated school hall, limited dining space and the development will allow for greater scope in sport and technology.

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “The former Greencroft School site is being redeveloped to provide a new base for Hare Law Special School, whose current site is overcrowded and no longer suitable for the school’s needs.

“The first stage of the work is the demolition of the multi-storey structure on the western edge of the site. We expect this work to be complete by the end of February.

“The scheme will also include the remodelling and refurbishment of both the interior and exterior of the remaining building. We hope pupils will be able to relocate to their new site by the summer.”