COUNCIL tax payers face a £1.8million bill to fix an "unsafe" extension at a Wilmslow school.

The extra classroom block at Gorsey Bank Primary School was built in 2006 under the former Cheshire County Council but has now been demolished after severe structural defects made it "unsafe".

Builders, Framework CDM, are now in administration and Cheshire East Council (CEC) has to foot the bill for the rebuild.

CEC has blamed "poor design" for the defects and is investigating taking "legal action".

A spokesman said: "The extension was found to be structurally unsound, with wet rot in all of the wooden flooring."

Pupils are working in mobile classrooms until the extension reopens next Easter and parents are left with questions about what went wrong.

One parent said: "Someone has to answer for this. It’s not good enough to say the company is in administration. Why did no-one notice the problems?"

Chesterfield company Framework CDM went into administraion last April.

Council leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: "We are funding the demolition and rebuild and the total spend, including costs for mobile accommodation, is £1.8 million.

"As the defects with the original structure are a direct consequence of poor design, under normal circumstances we would have full redress against the contractor.

"Unfortunately, as the contractor has gone into liquidation, we cannot take this course of action.

"However, we are investigating the possibility of legal action against other parties.

"A review into the processes undertaken by the former county council in procuring the original structure will be carried out."

Work has begun on the rebuild, which will be in the same footprint as the original extension and include facilities as before, with four classrooms, a special needs room, medical room, hall extension, staff room extension and toilet facilities.

Materials from the previous structure will be recycled and reused as much as possible.

CEC has appointed Henry Boot Ltd to the project - and say they will get it right this time.

Coun Fitzgerald added: "Henry Boot Ltd is a contractor of national standing with a proven track record in school building.

"We can reassure parents, pupils and staff the replacement structure will be completed to the highest standard, with traditional construction methods that will produce an energy efficient building with a minimum life expectancy of 60 years.

"We will work closely with the headteacher and governing body to ensure disruption to pupils, staff and residents is kept to a minimum, we appreciate their patience during this time."

He added: "We are satisfied the former County Council acted appropriately to ensure the safety of pupils and staff."

Headteacher Susan Garrod said: "We are pleased Cheshire East Council is progressing on our new extension so quickly.

"The children are excited to see the diggers moving in and I’m sure they will monitor progress closely as the building takes shape."