AN urgent plea has been made to county planners to allow demolition of the arson-hit former St Peter’s school building in Gainford after warnings it is in danger of imminent collapse.
A planning application seeking permission to raze the Victorian structure has been submitted by Ruttle Plant, owners of the dilapidated building, which has stood empty since the late 1990s.
St Peter’s was inspected by structural engineer Clive Oliphant, on behalf of Ruttle, in February, and he concluded the remains of the building should be pulled down “at the earliest opportunity” .
In his report, Mr Oliphant states: “Other than the north east section of the building, the internal and external walls are considered to be in a precarious condition.
“Timber lintels and support beams have been significantly fire damaged, but in addition, many of the timber sections in the external walls are suffering from the effects of wet and dry rot decay.
“The effect of this decay and fire damage is such that many of the support beams are in danger of imminent collapse.”
Mr Oliphant adds: “The west gable wall of the property is very close to an adjacent building with the only protection being offered by tall leylandii.”
He says demolition will need to be tackled carefully “as removal of a single external or internal wall could instigate a progressive collapse” .
He adds: “The building should, wherever possible, be pushed inwards.”
Planning consultant Paul Segdwick, agent for Ruttle Plant, said demolition was the best way forward.
He said despite Ruttle’s “continuing attempts to prevent vandalism” a number of fires had been started in the building.
“There is a significant health and safety risk of the building collapsing and its reported condition is so poor that external walls could collapse at any time.
“The degree of repair to make the building usable again would require extensive or complete reconstruction and as it is now an isolated, unlisted building in the conservation area, devoid of any historical context, a pragmatic decision to agree its demolition is sought.”
Attempts to redevelop the former school have come to nothing since it closed its doors for the final time in 1998, when the building was used as a nursing home.
Initially, the former Teesdale District Council refused to consider plans for a residential development on the grounds that the area was earmarked for business use.
Since the switch to the Durham unitary authority in 2009, housing developments have been considered.
But while Ruttle Plant owns the buildings, the land to the rear of St Peter’s is in the hands of house builder Kebbell Homes.
The two firms have been unable to reach an agreement for the development of the whole site and Kebbell’s most recent plans to build houses on the land it owns were refused.
County councillors said they wanted to see the whole St Peter’s site developed.
The plans to demolish St Peter’s can be views on the Durham County Council planning portal at www. durham.gov.uk. The reference number is DM/21/01210/ FPA.
