Plans to demolish a RAAC-ridden County Durham school could be approved by Durham County Council on Friday after pupils completed the academic year in temporary classrooms. The proposal will be discussed at Durham County Council's planning committee meeting where a decision will be made. The plans for St Leonard’s Catholic School, lodged by BAM Construction Ltd, include the destruction of existing structures, a replacement school building, upgrades to Springwell Hall, and new landscaping and playing fields.
Plans aim to retain and enhance the natural beauty of Durham City Centre Conservation Area, preserving the extensive tree cover and mature trees, some of which hold Tree Preservation Orders. Recommended reading Durham residents angry in St Leonard's school rebuild row Replacement school for St Leonards, Durham, after RAAC crisis St Leonard's, RAAC-hit Durham school, loses coursework in IT failure Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. The project has been met with mixed responses from the public, with expressed reservations about the impact on local amenities, potential loss of trees, and disruption caused by construction.
Earlier in July, some Durham residents challenged the plans, voicing concerns over compliance with the County Council's building policy, potential destruction of protected trees, privacy intrusions, and increased traffic. However, the urgency to redevelop the struggling .