CHILTON residents have applauded plans to replace a derelict school with housing.

Chilton County Primary School, which has been boarded up for months, is to be demolished to make way for a development of 21 detached and semi-detached homes.

The planning application is expected to be approved at a meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee on Friday.

Peter Crawforth, of Chilton West Residents' Association, said the plans had been generally well received.

He said: "We would have loved to have had a community building on the site, but as a second best option it's not bad at all. At least we will be getting something in the village which looks reasonable."

Mr Crawforth said the association was still hoping to obtain the railings around the school to use at its community house.

Sedgefield Borough Council has said it would prefer to see the railings retained on site, but developer Hall Construction has said it would be prepared to discuss the issue with the residents' association and council