ONE OF Spennymoor's landmark buildings will be bulldozed to make way for new homes.

North Road Junior School has seen thousands of children pass through its classrooms over the years.

But the sad decision to demolish the 120-year-old building has reluctantly been made by councillors on Sedgefield borough council's development control committee.

Planning officer Charlie Walton told members of the committee at a meeting last Friday that the only way forward for the North Road area would be for the school to be demolished and new houses built in its place.

Mr Walton said that he and his colleagues had responded to requests by residents in trying to get businesses interested in redeveloping the old school for community use but it had been to no avail.

He said that businesses had also been approached with the idea of converting the school into flats but each had said it was not economically viable.

He said: "We could find nobody who wanted to do this. It is such an important building and the only thing we can do is to find a quality development to replace it.''

The school is to be replaced by 13 detached and semi-detached homes by Newton Moor Construction, of Ushaw Moor.

The company has promised to use materials from the old school where ever possible.

The school closed last summer following its merger with neighbouring Bessemer Park Infant and Nursery.

The new £1.34m North Park Primary School was officially opened last week.

Spennymoor councillor John Kahn said that it was with 'great sadness' that he agreed to the plans.

He said: "My sister and I went to that school and we have some happy memories. I always thought it was a listed property. It is unfortunate that it cannot be restored.

"But it has fallen victim to vandalism and this development is as good as it is going to get. It is with reluctance that I vote for it to go ahead.''