Discussions continue into future of former primary school

A FUND trustee fears it will be two years at least before legal wrangling is complete at the former Startforth School buildings.

Villager Colin Clarke told members of Startforth Parish Council negotiations between Durham County Council, Leeds Diocese and trustees of the Morritt Memorial Fund on the fate of Startforth School would take time.

He said: “It’s not going to be a short term thing – it’s certainly going to be two years before a decision is made.”

The former school, which closed at the end of last year, has taken on a new form as a community centre hosting rehearsals, meetings and parties.

However, question marks remain over its future with an estimated £133,000 in the Morritt Memorial Trust fund only available to be used for “educational purposes”.

Mr Clarke said solicitors for Sir Andrew Morritt were keen to see the building continue to be used as a community centre.

He added: “The solicitor of Sir Andrew Morritt is looking into seeing if we can start up a new charity to use that trust fund.”

But Cllr Pat Estall added that negotiations hadn’t got that far yet.

Parish council chairwoman Cllr Sue Ellwood said the situation was very complex and thought Mr Clarke’s two year timeframe was realistic.

She added: “We are really supportive of whatever you can do to keep this going as a community centre and look after its long future in whatever guise it’s going to be.”

Mr Clarke also revealed energy costs were exceeding £1,000 a month leading to some concerns from councillors about the coming winter.

Cllr Estall said hiring costs of the building would be reviewed frequently.

Stuart Timmiss, head of planning and assets at Durham County Council, said the council was working towards a “mutually beneficial solution” with all parties about the future of the buildings.

He added: “We met the diocese, members of the parish council and others earlier this year, as they have expressed an interest in establishing a community building and free school by forming a trust with other interested parties.

“The playing fields are owned by us, while the Church of England owns the buildings.

“However, during the 1970s an extension was built on council land. This land should have transferred to the Diocese but for historical reasons it never did.

“The current status is that we’re waiting for the finalisation of the trust so that we can then transfer the land across.”

When it came to the playing fields, Cllr Ellwood said she would approach the county council about the long term status of the field as a community facility.

“If we ask the question, they have to make a decision,” she added.