Controversial plans to open a mortuary next to a primary school have been withdrawn. 

Hardy’s Funeral Services had hoped to convert a Spennymoor house into the facility but faced significant opposition from residents. 

Dozens of objections were submitted to Durham County Council just days after the plans for High Grange Road were revealed in July. 

Nearby King Street Primary School also said its future could be doubtful if the mortuary went ahead. 

Joanne Bromley, King Street head teacher, said: “We firmly believe that parents would not feel that this is an appropriate proposal and, if it went ahead, would consider a move of schools and any new parents would not choose our school in the future and thus it would have a detrimental impact upon the school’s future.

“The application states that the property would be used as a place where bereaved families can visit their deceased relatives discreetly away from the general public- the school has over 220 children and, added to this, the additional number of adults who collect each day, there is no way this can be offered as a discreet service.”

Nearby King Street Primary School also said its future could be doubtful if the mortuary went ahead. Nearby King Street Primary School also said its future could be doubtful if the mortuary went ahead. (Image: Google)

Peter Bright, a resident, said: “It would be very inappropriate for young children to see deceased bodies being taken in and out of the property.”

Hardy’s responded to concerns in an August update, saying the mortuary would operate discreetly and not interfere with nearby residents or school. No funeral services were planned to be hosted at the site. 

A statement from Hardy’s Funeral Services read: “The reason for choosing this site above others, which would not have required a change of use, is that clients can arrive, park their car in a designated parking bay to the rear of the premises, enter and leave the premises in relative privacy. 

“I would envisage the deceased would arrive in a closed vehicle, reversed into the garage, and the deceased taken from there into the main building on a covered stretcher. 

“The reverse of this procedure is to be carried out when leaving, the deceased would be removed from the main building in a coffin to the garage and placed in a hearse.”

But parents warned the mortuary would be disruptive to school pupils and visitors. 

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Deborah Collinson said: “I have two children attending this school and a business of this nature is likely to cause anxiety for them walking past it every day and subsequently cause anxiety about going to school. 

“It is not going to be a peaceful location for a business of this nature which will have people visiting deceased relatives.” 

The reason for the application’s withdrawal is unclear. Hardy’s Funeral Services was contacted for comment.