Plea to protect damaged Trimdon school after becoming crime 'hotspot'

The former Bluebell Meadow Primary School site in Trimdon Grange has become an anti-social behaviour hotspot.

It is claimed repairing the site would cost an estimated £1 million, on top of ongoing costs for 24/7 security to monitor the area. 

The infant school building was built in approximately 1911 but has been on the market for over a year. 

The former Bluebell Meadow Primary School site in Trimdon Grange has become an anti-social behaviour hotspot. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Firefighters tackled a blaze at the site in September amid concerns about young people getting onto the premises. The school, previously known as Trimdon Grange Infant School, has been empty since three local schools were merged due to a fall in enrollment.

Following the incident, Trimdon county councillor Lucy Hovvels said there had been several incidents involving youths at the school, including young people climbing on the building and creating a nuisance. 

The infant school building was built in approximately 1911 but has been on the market for over a year.  (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Durham County Council has now been urged to establish an empty buildings strategy to protect similar buildings around the region.

County councillor Jake Miller, of Trimdon and Thornley, said: “The former Bluebell Primary School site in Trimdon Grange has been empty for some time, becoming a blight on our community, and a hotspot of ASB and other crime, including arson. 

“This has resulted in damage to a council building which would cost around £1 million to repair, with current ongoing costs of paying for 24/7 security.

“This is because the council does not have an empty buildings strategy.”

Councillors will vote on whether to approve Cllr Miller’s appeal at a full council meeting on Wednesday (October 23). 

A motion submitted by the Labour member added: “This council calls on the relevant portfolio holder to establish a cross-party working group to create an empty buildings strategy, to prevent issues, such as this in Trimdon, happening across our county.”

Before the damage, film crews used it to create part of the much-loved ITV crime drama Vera, starring BAFTA-winning Brenda Blethyn as the savvy mac-wearing detective. 

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The local authority is due to issue an update on the future of the building at the meeting next week. 

James Rowlandson, cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “We have received the motion and a response will be given at full council, including an update on the sale of the former Bluebell Meadow Primary School site in Trimdon Grange.

“We can confirm, ahead of the meeting, that we have a policy which sets out protocols and processes for surplus and vacant buildings in our ownership.

"An implementation plan exists alongside this, detailing actions that will enhance our approach to managing such buildings. A working group of officers is responsible for delivering the policy, with its work overseen and monitored by our Corporate Property Board.”