Homes England backs listed Burnley school conversion
The Government body is to provide £200,000 to support the conversion of the grade two-listed Woodtop School in Burnley into housing, working with Burnley Council and registered provider Calico Homes.
The listed school building on Accrington Road was bought by Burnley Council in 2009 but has fallen into disrepair since, with the roof collapsing in January this year. The school closed in 2000.
Calico Homes was brought on board to redevelop the site in March, working in partnership with Burnley Council, but the council said the listed building would need “significant funds to renovate to the required heritage standard”.
A bid was put forward to Homes England for £200,000 to support the scheme, and this is now due to be signed off by Burnley Council next week to allow the redevelopment to go ahead.
A planning application for the site is yet to be submitted although JCA Architects have drawn up preliminary designs for the redevelopment, featuring both a conversion of the listed building and a new-build element.
Burnley Council leader Cllr Mark Townsend said: “This development meets the council’s policy of creating flourishing, healthy and confident communities and I welcome these ambitious and exciting proposals.
“If approved, this development would be a significant step forward in the on going regeneration of that area.
“The council is committed to encouraging the building of a wide range of high-quality housing of different types across our borough and this development would improve the housing offer, as well as giving a boost to the surrounding area.”
