PLAYING fields at a disused school are to be improved when the buildings are demolished to make way for homes.

In 1998, Kemplah Primary School, in Guisborough's Aldenham Road, was closed when it merged with Newstead Primary School because of surplus places.

A new school, Highcliffe Primary, was opened at the Newstead site.

Now, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council plans to sell the land to a developer.

The primary school site lies in the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, while the playing fields come under the control of Redcar and Cleveland council.

A report to the council's policy and resources committee says that discussions have taken place between the two authorities and they have decided their preferred option is to develop roughly half of the site and leave the rest as open space.

The site is used as a public open space and includes a footpath link, a small play area, which is in a poor state of repair, and a kick-about area.

The site is sloping and has drainage problems, but the council says the improvements, costing more than £100,000, will benefit the community.

Suggested improvements include two five-a-side pitches, a better, relocated children's play area and better footpaths, planting and fencing.

Dr Joan Rees, director of the economy and the environment for Redcar and Cleveland council, said: "This is a good overall planning solution. We have been working towards this agreement for many months.

"We believe it is a winner on several fronts. It solves the problem of the vacant school site, it brings significant community benefits, with ongoing provision for the maintenance of the recreational area, and it is delivered at no cost to the council tax payer.

"The community benefits will include an overall upgrading of the recreational area, providing two five-a-side pitches and a new children's play area."

Monday's committee meeting is being recommended to sell the land to the preferred bidder, which will be given three months to complete the deal and asked to submit plans for the housing scheme as soon as possible