South West County Durham
School on the market
A VICTORIAN school has been put up for sale as pupils prepare to move into new classrooms in a few weeks' time.
Agents selling 154-year-old St Cuthbert's RC Primary, in Crook, expect it to be snapped up by developers and turned into houses or a care home.
Designed by Edward Pugin, who also designed nearby St Cuthbert's church and the Houses of Parliament, the school is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.
Government funding for a £2m replacement was granted four years ago and planning permission given in 2006.
Contractors hope to have the new building ready before the end of the summer term.
They are building on the old school's playing field after Durham County Council agreed to swap the land for a plot set aside by the diocese for a cemetery extension.
Agents Sanderson Weatherall, in Newcastle, are handling the sale for the diocesan trustees.
Associate director John Haley said: "With construction of a new replacement building underway on land adjacent to the site, the former school now poses a significant opportunity for redevelopment in this attractive market town.
"Ten miles to the south west of Durham in a quiet rural location, it would be the ideal platform for a residential scheme, making the most of the impressive gothic architecture.
"Sites of this kind are a rarity in the area and we expect it will attract a lot of interest."
"Although the re-use of this site will see the end of an era for the school's history, it also represents a unique opportunity for a developer to create a scheme adjacent to the magnificent original buildings and will be of great benefit to the town.
"The redevelopment will undoubtedly be sympathetic to the existing architecture, whilst providing an exciting opportunity at a site which forms such a strong part of the community's heritage."
The available site covers 0.80 acres and includes single story 20th Century buildings, a playground, stables and paddock areas.
6:21pm Thursday 1st May 2008
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