Derelict Victorian school buildings to be brought back to life as apartments

By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter

Victorian school buildings in Newark which have sat empty for years could be turned into apartments.

The Lilley and Stone School opened on London Road in 1898, eventually becoming Newark High School, until the campus closed in 2016.

Plans have been submitted to refurbish three buildings seen as having architectural value and demolish the rest, creating a total of 32 apartments and 35 new homes on the four-acre site.

The historic buildings include the former Headmaster’s House, built in 1897, and another which is Grade II listed.

Images submitted with the application show they are currently in a poor state, with boarded-up windows and walls in need of repair.

Anti-social behaviour on the vacant site has also become a serious problem, according to the application.

The refurbishments would demolish many of the modern extensions and aim to restore the buildings to their former glory.

The application states that “feedback has been generally positive, with a widespread recognition that the renovation of the listed buildings on the site is desperately needed.”

The historic caretaker’s cottage would also maintained and refurbished.

However, it’s understood that saving the remaining buildings would be unviable due to their condition.

There will be one to two bed self-contained apartments, while the new homes over the rest of the site will offer two to four beds.

The plans have been submitted by Nottingham-based Bildurn Properties Ltd.

Since Newark High School moved to a new site in Balderton, the buildings have been plagued by anti-social behaviour, break-ins and fires.

The application promises an “attractive restoration of the listed and heritage assets which will be restored sensitively and their setting greatly improved through the removal of more modern additions”.

The developer is set to contribute £95,000 towards local primary education, £136,000 for health facilities and £100,000 for outdoor sports facilities.

The application will be determined by Newark & Sherwood District Council at a later date.