THE fate of a former pit village primary school building is to be decided at a local inquiry.

In an announcement yesterday, it was revealed that an application for the demolition of the grade II-listed Easington Colliery school, in County Durham, has been called in by the office of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Easington District Council had already given its unanimous approval to the demolition of the boarded-up building.

The application had also received the backing of Easington's MP John Cummings, who believes the presence of the unsightly building is holding up progress in the village.

An overwhelming number of residents, who consider the large school and outbuildings to be a prominent eyesore in the village's main Seaside Lane, have also pressed for its demolition.

The application for its demolition and redevelopment was submitted by Westnew Management Ltd.

Company director Tony Mann said: "I am very glad at last that it has come to a head and we can get down to the nitty gritty and get it sorted out one way or another.''

The application has prompted opposition from English Heritage.

A spokeswoman said: "This imposing red brick, grade-II former school makes an important contribution to the village and is of national architectural and historical significance.

"Anyone who wishes to demolish a listed building has to make a full case for it.

"Our advice to the local authority was that the case had yet to be made and we still believe a sustainable future can be found for it."

The Deputy Prime Minister's officer said: "The Secretary of State is of the opinion that this application is one that he ought to decide himself because he considers that the proposals may conflict with national policies on important matters."