A FORMER school will be knocked down to make way for housing.

Durham County councillors approved plans to demolish Whinney Hill School, which has been empty since Durham Johnston moved out in 2009.

Persimmon Homes was granted permission to build 75 houses on the site.

Cllr Paul Taylor, chairman of the central and east planning committee, said: “It’s with a tinge of sadness to see the demolition of Whinney Hill School because it’s in a lot of our pasts.”

Cllr David Freeman said: “This is one of the last large remaining sites in the city and we have got it for houses.

“It’s been empty for 10 years and we need the scheme to move forward. I can’t praise it enough.”

A condition was imposed so the homes cannot be turned into houses of multiple occupation.