Demolition approved for proposed school site

The former Epinay Business and Enterprise School will be demolished

Proposals to demolish an old school to make way for a new one have been approved.

A primary school for children with additional needs has been proposed for the site of Jarrow's former Epinay Business and Enterprise School.

If plans are given the go-ahead, the specialist school will mean more children can receive the education they need locally, rather than have to travel out of town.

South Tyneside's planning department approved the demolition order to "enable future development" of the site.

'Vacant and surplus'

A planning application has not yet been submitted for the new school.

However, the site on Clervaux Terrace is eventually expected to become a 56-place facility for children aged between four and 11.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, steps are currently being taken to find an academy trust to manage the school, while further permissions must also be sought before the project can go ahead.

The application approved by South Tyneside Council said the former school was "vacant and surplus to the council's requirement".

Buildings on the site are reportedly in a poor state of disrepair and contain a "high volume" of asbestos.

They were left vacant when the Epinay Business and Enterprise School moved to South Shields.

The demolition work is expected to begin in March and should be finished by May.