A PROPERTY management company yesterday pledged to beat a court guideline to demolish a landmark building and mark the start of a new era of prosperity in a former pit village.

Magistrates this week recommended Westnew Management Limited be given four months to apply for a demolition order to knock down the Grade II-listed Easington Colliery Primary School or face carrying out essential repairs on the derelict building.

Easington District Council had earlier issued an order to force the company to clean up the site, which Westnew appealed against at Durham Magistrates' Court.

The company's director, Tony Mann, told magistrates that it was his company's intention to seek permission to demolish the building and construct a residential development in its place.

Although magistrates dismissed Westnew's appeal and have no jurisdiction to suspend the council's repair notice, they recommended the authority not enforce it if the company applied for a demolition order within four months.

Welcoming the findings, Mr Mann yesterday said he had met consultants to ensure the demolition order was submitted this month.

Westnew bought the former primary school, in Seaside Lane, which has been empty since 1998, in July last year.

The company owns and has refurbished and rented out about 100 properties in the village.

It sees the primary school site as its flagship development, and hopes to construct 25 affordable houses and ten to 15 sheltered dwellings.

Mr Mann said that he was convinced his company's proposed development would mark the renaissance of the run-down community.

He said: "There are many empty shops in Seaside Lane and we are certain such a development will help generate an economic recovery for the village."

He said Westnew had established a good track record as the village's main private landlord, and was looking forward to assisting the regeneration of the former mining community