A LONG campaign to restore and reopen Dunsfold Village School, received a setback last month, when the empty grade II listed building was advertised by a commercial property agency for ‘let or a long lease leading to a sale.’

Hopes the Charity Commission might intervene on behalf of campaigners, however, appear to have been dashed by its decision to take no further action.

Dunsfold Church of England Infant School was closed against the wishes of the village in 2004 and campaigners have been fighting moves by joint owners Guildford Diocese and Surrey County Council to release it from a binding educational trust condition.

They mounted a successful appeal at the Charity Tribunal in 2011, which ruled any future use should give preferential consideration to the provision of a school in Dunsfold.

In 2013, Dunsfold Village School Trust (DVST) was founded to continue efforts to acquire, restore and reopen the derelict building as a school.

Residents were dismayed to see it advertised to let and Dunsfold Parish Council has asked for it to be removed.

DVST trustee Alan Ground notified residents earlier this month the trust had alerted the Charity Commission to the advertisement as being non-compliant with the 2011 scheme and asked them to secure the withdrawal of the advertisement.

But when The Herald asked the commission for a response, a spokesman said no action would be taken.

The spokesman said this week: “The commission has been engaging with the trustee of Dunsfold Church of England School Trust (the Diocese of Guilford) in relation to the use of the redundant school building at Dunsfold.

“The commission has asked the trustee to account for its decision-making to date and its plans to address the position future of the property.

“We are satisfied that the proposals set out by the trustee are consistent with charity law and our guidance and will monitor progress towards implementing the proposal to ensure there is an appropriate outcome.

“We currently have no plans to open a statutory inquiry or remove any trustees in relation to this matter.”