A QUESTION mark is hanging over the future of Bidford's old school house amid fears it could be demolished.

A number of residents have expressed their concerns to the parish council about the former Bidford-on-Avon Primary school house on the old school site in Victoria Road.

Stratford District Council approved Westbury Homes' planning application for 33 per cent affordable housing to be built on the site, and for the 100-year-old school house to be converted into five residential units, subject to repairs, underpinning and renovation.

Elisabeth Uggerloese, Bidford Parish Council clerk, said: "Residents are concerned it might be pulled down. The parish council will do everything that it can to ensure it remains. It's got a lot of character and it's a treasure of the village."

County councillor Peter Barnes said: "If the school is lost, this site will look like any other urban sprawl. I shall be supporting the parish council in keeping the original building."

Tony Horton, senior planner at Stratford District Council said Westbury Homes had submitted a new application last week to retain the two-storey old school house but to demolish the single-storey buildings at the back.

Spokeswoman from Westbury, Julia Chandler said: "Westbury is keen to preserve as much of the look of the original structure as possible and we are now seeking permission to demolish the single-storey structure while converting the two-storey house."