Arson-hit Dudley school building to become flats
An arson-hit former Dudley school that is in a poor condition and has lost most of its roof is to be converted into more than two dozen apartments.
The former Sir Gilbert Claughton School in Blowers Green Road was ravaged in an arson attack which took place in July last year.
But it looks like it will finally be given a new lease of life after planners at Dudley Council granted permission to convert the damaged building into 30 flats.
As a result of the development, put forward by Abbey Architecture, will see 19 two-bedroom apartments, seven one bedroom apartments and four studio flats created.
The building dates back more than a century and it first opened up as the Dudley Upper Standards School for children aged 12-18 in 1904.
It underwent a number of name changes in subsequent years before becoming the Sir Gilbert Claughton Grammar Technical School in 1957 – named after the Worcestershire-born 19th century businessman and politician.
It operated until 1990 when the school closed and the building was later used as offices by the local authority as the Claughton Centre.
It has been unused for many years and the centre was sold for £405,000 at an auction in May 2019 – more than double the original asking price of £200,000.
There have been previous schemes forward to build new houses on the site or convert the building into flats but these have not come to fruition.
Planning officer Stephanie Hollands said: “As a result of the fire that occurred in July 2020, a preliminary structural survey was completed by David Symonds Associates.
“It found that four gables across the rear elevation had been damaged as a result of the intense heat, mainly through the expansion of materials like the steel purlins supporting the roof.
“The result is that some of those gables lean outwards at high level and are structurally unstable.
“In addition, around 80 per cent of the roof had been lost or damaged beyond reuse.
“The remainder of the building, however, including many of the internal structural walls, is capable of being restored and reused.
“The layout of the site provides for well-spaced development which will integrate well into its surroundings and have a positive impact on the character of the area bringing a vacant and derelict building back into use.
“The principle of residential use, the layout, appearance, scale, access and parking of the proposed development are considered to be acceptable.
“Neighbours amenity and street scene are not considered to be detrimentally affected and the scheme is in accordance with adopted policies.”
