Plans to demolish Chilton Academy's squash court to make way for a playground have been approved by Durham County Council.

The council confirmed on Tuesday that formal approval was not needed for the project, which will see the area transformed into a Tarmac playground.

The decision was made under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015, meaning the demolition and site restoration methods did not raise concerns requiring further review.

The project will also involve repairing the building's affected elevation with matching render.

The council has set conditions for the demolition process, particularly concerning potential contamination and wildlife protection.

If any unexpected contamination is found during the demolition, work must stop immediately.

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A risk assessment will need to be conducted following local guidelines, and the remediation strategy must be approved by the Local Planning Authority.

Specific conditions have also been set regarding bats and nesting birds.

Similarly, if nesting birds are found, work should not take place during the nesting season, from March to September, to avoid disturbing or destroying any nests.

The council has also taken into account the small scale of the demolition, noting that there are no significant concerns about noise, dust, or other nuisances.

However, best practices must be followed to minimise any potential impact on local residents.

No responses or objections were received from the public or the Town/Parish Council during the consultation period.

The council has provided contact information for the case officer for any concerns and guidance on how to proceed if any wildlife or contamination issues arise.

Demolition can now proceed under these conditions, with a focus on environmental and wildlife protection.