Demolition looms at vandal-hit school

A Black Country school could be demolished a year after closing, with hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash having been spent on security at the site.

Council bosses have begun talks about knocking down Cradley High School and Leisure Centre despite no realistic offer being put forward forward for the land. The bill for security, redundancies and other costs has already run to almost £1 million. The security measures, including burglar alarms and shutters, have failed to stop vandals attacking the building .

Property chiefs handling the sale of the land believe bringing in bulldozers could increase its value.

Dudley Council chief executive John Polychronakis informed ward councillor Richard Body the authority was in talks about demolishing the school in Homer Hill Road.

"Arrangements have been made with Green Care to complete an initial tidy-up of the site of the former Cradley High School, followed by regular maintenance and grass cutting," he said.

This arrangement will be in force for a period of four months, during which there will be discussions about demolishing the building pending the eventual sale of the site when the property market recovers, Mr Polychronakis added.

Cabinet member for property Councillor Adrian Turner said the council could only order demolition if it would increase the value of the land.

"We are looking into demolition as a result of the criminal damage to the building," he said.

"We are still committed to gaining the best possible value for the property."

Councillor Body said the building would be a "sad, sad loss". However, he supported demolition if it would save more cash being spent on security.