COUNCIL leaders gave the go-ahead last week to spend up to £180,000 exploring options to rebuild the county’s worst school building.

Herefordshire Council cabinet members said the 136-pupil strong Peterchurch Primary School was in dire need of new facilities and officers estimate a total rebuild will cost between £4.25m and £5.25m.

The school is accommodated in several buildings which include the original Victorian school and headmaster’s house with more recent additions such as what was originally built as the village hall.

The buildings have been mired with problems ranging from asbestos leaks, a failed roof and regular problems with the slate tiles slipping from the Victorian buildings.

The school’s heating system is also inefficient, with some rooms overheating while others are inadequately heated at the same time. And there have also been ventilation issues with the pupil toilets.

Golden Valley North councillor Philip Price fully supported the proposals and said the current school was a ‘crumbling and dire building’.

“This has been a project that has been so long in the making,” he said.

“It has now got complete community support from the parish council to the children, governors and school itself.”

Children and families cabinet member Elissa Swinglehurst said the proposals would contribute to delivering their corporate priority to give local residents the best start in life.

“It is a widely supported plan to replace what is the worst primary school building in Herefordshire with a modern building which will last for many years to come,” she said.

The cabinet unanimously approved the proposals which will allow the children and families director to commission the study.