Former Easington Colliery Junior School

Designed in 1911 by a local architect, John Morson, they have stood empty since the school closed in 1998, when Durham County Council sold them for a pound each.

They have since been passed from developer to developer for six figure sums, becoming increasingly dilapidated, until, earlier this year, an application to demolish them and build houses on the site was submitted. Sick of living alongside the derelict buildings - 'Britain's largest pigeon loft,' as one man described them - local people were understandably anxious to see something done. Y

et it was clear that other options for the former school, which despite years of neglect is still structurally sound, had not been properly explored. Joining with English Heritage, we fought the plans at a Public Inquiry.

Permission for demolition was refused, but this is just the start: it's imperative that a new use be found for these landmark buildings as soon as possible, so that local people can be proud of them again.