A YEAR on from the closure of Chawleigh Primary School, the building at the centre of the village still remains empty and villagers say its loss is having a prolonged impact.

Local groups say that without the school to bring the community together, they have had difficulties finding support for village events, like the Christmas Fair.

Now the campaigners, who fought tirelessly in a bid to save the school, are appealing to Devon County Council to open the former playground to help restore some community solidarity.

The historic 200-year old school was closed after the council decided its pupil numbers were too low.

The school building is owned by the Chawleigh Parish Lands Charity, but the playground is the property of the council.

Geoff Finlayson, who was a school governor, said: "It is so much harder for village groups to find support for their various initiatives without the coherent force of enthusiastic parents.

"I have written to council leaders to ask if they will invest in, or just support the idea of, the playground being used for the community."

Iris Morton, who led the campaign to save the school, said: "We desperately want it to be sold to the community for the village's children to enjoy."

Meanwhile, villagers say it is also heartbreaking that the deserted school building remains empty.

Devon County Council had been negotiating with the Parish Lands Charity to lease the building for teacher training, but then pulled out of the plan.

Charity trustees Monty James said: "Devon County Council seem to only be looking after the towns and cities and are still showing a disgraceful lack of leadership.

"The charity is now looking at ideas such as converting the building to starter flats for single parents so it can again be used to help those in need."

Ironically, the village is currently experiencing a mini-baby boom and the opening of several affordable homes has meant the community's population of children is increasing.

Cate Godly, who was a teacher at the school, is one of the locals to have given birth.

She said: "It is a great disappointment that we have babies growing up in the village who will not be able to go to school here."

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said: "We have offered to sell the former school playground and environmental area to the Parish Council and the County Council's valuer will be discussing the price with their representative."