A NOTICE has been issued to close the school site in a village in the face of widespread opposition.

Durham County Council wants to close the school site in Sherburn Hill, with its 45 pupils taught in nearby Sherburn Village instead.

Sherburn Primary currently operates from two sites, following an amalgamation of two schools in 2015.

Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods said she was dismayed by the news that the council was moving forward with the proposal following public consultation, which ended on February 23.

She said: “Having met with local residents a number of times, I am well aware of the level of anger and distress this proposed closure has caused for children and families in Sherburn Hill, and I am amazed that the local authority has had time to fully consider all the responses it received.

“To issue this notice so quickly after the consultation closed will only further the impression that this decision had already been made before residents were consulted.”

In January more than 60 people attended a public meeting held at the school, with dozens staging a protest outside.

The council says the move to educating all pupils on one site will make the school more sustainable.

It’s notice to close the school on August 31 says: “This proposal reflects the work being done across County Durham to make schools sustainable in the long term to meet the challenges in a rapidly changing educational environment.”

People have until Thursday, April 5 to make further comments , which can be emailed to schoolorganisation@durham.gov.uk.