Former Bluebell Primary School in Trimdon Grange to be redeveloped

Residents warned the old Bluebell Meadow Primary School in Trimdon Grange had become an anti-social behaviour hotspot after being repeatedly targeted by vandals.

Firefighters tackled a blaze at the site in September amid concerns about young people getting onto the premises. The school, previously known as Trimdon Grange Infant School, has been empty since three local schools were merged due to a fall in enrollment.

Durham County Council confirmed the site is being redeveloped after hearing a plea to clean up the site. 

The former Bluebell Meadow Primary School site in Trimdon Grange had become an anti-social behaviour hotspot. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Councillor James Rowlandson, cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, told a full council meeting: “The school will continue to be used as an educational facility. The sale has been concluded and the contractors are on site bringing the school up to date and back into use.”

But Trimdon and Thornely county councillor Lucy Hovvels warned the former school has become a local eyesore. She told councillors: “The school closed over a year ago and its visually run-down appearance is having a detrimental effect on the area since it is on the entrance to our village for all to see.

“The empty school has been subject to deliberate fires, arson, and damage to the school's outer buildings and school roof. Many of the residents who live close by have endured week after week fires set alight, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, fear, vandalism, and crime.

“Residents continue to report complaints about the site. It is unkept with boarded-up windows and overgrown weeds and it is a blight on the environment, which impacts residents and also other properties nearby.”

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The council paid £22,000 to a security firm to patrol the site around the clock following the fire. However, it disputed a claim from Trimdon councillor Lucy Hovvels that the damage totalled £1 million. 

Cllr Rowlandson added: “Where she gets that figure from I don’t know. That kind of damage has not been caused.”

Before the damage, film crews used it to create part of the much-loved ITV crime drama Vera, starring BAFTA-winning Brenda Blethyn as the savvy mac-wearing detective.