COUNTY officers are attempting to contact the owner of St Peter’s, in Gainford, after it was ravaged by fire to discuss the building’s future.
Durham County Council says it has not received any application to demolish the eyesore building after the blaze last Monday morning.
Stuart Timmiss, head of development and housing at Durham County Council, said: “We have not received an application to demolish the remaining section of the former St Peter's School in Gainford as of this time. Following the fire on Monday, our building control officers assessed the site and, in the interest of public safety, we have boarded up all windows, doors and openings to prevent unauthorised access. We are also attempting to make contact with the owner to discuss the building's future.”
Parish chairwoman Cllr Lisa Johnstone has contacted the county council, police, fire service and county councillors expressing her fear that the building poses an “imminent danger to anyone venturing inside”.
The building affected by the fire is owned by Ruttle Plant Hire. The land at the rear is owned by Kebbell Homes which has recently proposed to build 37 homes.
