COUNCILLORS are calling for action over a building that they say has been left to rot and is becoming a safety hazard.

The former East Howle Junior and Infants School, near Ferryhill, was sold by Durham County Council seven years ago.

Since then, two planning applications have been granted by Sedgefield Borough Council, so the owners can build housing.

In March 2002, the council gave permission to change the use of the building from a school to housing.

In October 2005, a further application was granted to change the appearance of the building.

While scaffolding and security fencing have been erected, no work appears to have been done and councillors said the building is becoming a problem.

Leader of Ferryhill Town Council Pat McCourt said: "We are becoming concerned about the building.

"Despite the planning applications being approved, the building is in an increasing state of disrepair.

The building would be passed by anyone coming into Ferryhill from the A1, which is obviously quite a lot of traffic, and it just looks a mess.

"There are some parts of the outside wall area that have collapsed and the worry is that, if the outside wall is falling away, what is happening inside the building.

"Since it was sold by Durham County Council, it has fallen to Sedgefield Borough Council to oversee the planning applications.

"There has been some correspondence from the borough council with the owners, who gave assurances that they would do something earlier this year. No work has been done, but if they fail to progress the matter, the borough council will be considering what powers it has."

The Sedgefield Borough Council planning applications were made by Peter Howell, who gives an address in Greece.

A Pinkney's Building Contractors sign is at the site and it is thought the company may have bought the building.

Neither Pinkney's nor Mr Howell were available for comment last night.