Legal action taken in bid to force clean-up of ex-school site, Teesdale Mercury

Legal action taken in bid to force clean-up of ex-school site

May 13, 2008

LEGAL action is being taken against the owner of part of the former St Peter's School site, in Gainford, as part of ongoing efforts to make the area safe.

House building firm, Kebbell Homes, has been served with an enforcement order, giving the company a year to carry out a string of improvements to make the area safe.

Under the terms of the order, which has been issued by Teesdale District Council's planning department, Kebbell Homes must demolish two buildings, including a two-store former classroom block.

In addition, the former gymnasium must be secured and all windows, doors and any other openings must be boarded up and painted black.

The order states that as it stands, the site "adversely affects the visual amenity" of Gainford.

"Land is littered with debris and building materials and is in an uncared for and untidy state."

The order states that buildings on the land have not been adequately maintained or repaired and are in an untidy, dilapidated and unsafe condition.

Details of the enforcement order were highlighted at Gainford Parish Council's latest meeting on Monday.

Members have been campaigning for action to be taken to improve the part of the former school owned by Kebbell, but had been told in December last year it would be several months before action could be taken.

Cllr Tim Madgwick said the enforcement order was "good news."

He added: "I thought it would be a slower timetable than it has been."

Councillors were told that Kebbell Homes had the right of appeal against the enforcement order.