A former Gateshead school is set to be demolished to make way for a new housing development.
Hookergate Secondary School, in High Spen, shut its doors in 2011 when it was merged with Ryton Comprehensive to create what is now the Thorp Academy. Its buildings are now due to be torn down and replaced by 49 new homes, under plans approved by councillors on Wednesday.
However, developer Vistry Partnerships’ proposals must clear a final hurdle with the Government after Sport England objected to the project over concerns about the loss of the school’s old playing fields. The body complained that the demolition of the empty school would remove car parking, toilets, and changing rooms and therefore make it harder for the pitches to be brought back into use.
