HS2 nod threatens historic school site
Grade II listed building near route
THE NEW HS2 route which clips the borough boundary has been given the thumbs up from county councillors, despite impacting on farms and a historically notable school.
Leicestershire County Council Cabinet members agreed a draft rail strategy which supports the revised HS2 route to Toton in Derbyshire, despite initially opposing it, as well as seeking improvements to district services.
They also emphasised the need to increase services in and around Hinckley, especially linking to Coventy and Birmingham.
While acknowledging the London to Toton proposal will have a negative affect on a small number of areas the authority said overall less people would suffer.
However, the move does create uncertainty for at least two farmers in Appleby Magna near Twycross and is a threat to the future of a Grade I listed school building designed by Christopher Wren.
The cabinet heard: “The route runs within 200m of Sir John Moore School in Appleby Magna.
“There are concerns relating to the operational viability of the school during the construction of the elevated embankment, as well as the noise levels for students when the line is completed.”
The school was constructed between 1693 and 1697, based on an original design by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir William Wilson.
It was established and financed by Sir John Moore, the younger son of the local squire who became Lord Mayor and Alderman of London.
Opening in 1697 the school, with its own walled, landscaped grounds totalling just over three-and-a-half acres, has been known for much of its existence as Appleby Grammar School and operated as a free school for the boys of the village, as well as a boys’ boarding school.
The name was changed to Sir John Moore Church of England School some time in the last century, when it also became a co-ed.
In the mid-90s threats to its closure due to rising maintenance costs promoted a public outcry.
A Heritage Lottery Fund of £6 million enabled the conversion of stables to a computer suite, the old dormitories were turned into a heritage centre and several old offices and storage rooms became rented offices and apartments.
The building still operates as a primary school, with 125 students from the village.
A bar operates from the basement, fittingly called The Cellar.
One of its most famous pupils was William Huskisson, well known as being the first man to die in a railway accident when he was knocked down by Stephenson’s Rocket at the opening of the LiverpoolManchester railway.
He was an MP in Liverpool at the time.
The Eastern leg of HS2 Phase Two is expected to run from Birmingham in the West Midlands to Leeds via Toton near Derby.
Council bosses believe a link to the rail in the county will provide an economic boost to the region to the tune of around £40 million-a-year.
It is hoped further rail improvements will also be made