EASINGTON MP Grahame Morris has welcomed a decision by Durham County Council to demolish the former school buildings in Easington Colliery.

Several efforts to redevelop or demolish the derelict Easington Colliery Primary School failed following objections from heritage groups about the loss of a listed building.

Since being sold in 1997, the former school buildings fell into dereliction, a target for anti-social behaviour and vandalism. Despite a concerted community effort, a previous application for demolition failed after the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government called-in the decision.

The council bought back the school building and worked with heritage groups to demonstrate the building was no longer viable for regeneration. While noting the loss of the listed building, Historic England lodged no formal objections to Durham County Council's planning department ruling on the proposals.

Easington MP Grahame Morris said: "The former Easington School Buildings have been a blight on the community, and I am delighted that a proposal to clear the site has finally been accepted, without objection for heritage groups.

"There have been many false dawns, so I look forward to seeing work commence on the site at the earliest opportunity.

"No one ever wants to lose historic buildings and local heritage, but it has been clear for some time that any heritage value with the former school was lost, and it had become a drain on the community.

"I have campaigned since first elected for this outcome, and it is pleasing to achieve such a positive result for the community. I want to thank Easington Councillors David Boyes and Angela Surtees, as without their steadfast work and commitment, this planning decision would not have been possible."