Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Housing plan for ex-girls’ school
A FORMER Somerset girls’ school could soon be replaced with a new housing development.
Bruton School for Girls closed in the summer of 2022 after 122 years, citing low pupil numbers – a decision which came as a shock to local parents.
The site was put on the market in January at a guide price of £9m and is still being advertised by estate agents Knight Frank as of Thursday.
Richard Waller, the chairman of Pitcombe Parish Council, has now revealed that the site may soon be turned into housing rather than being re-purposed as a new school or other community use.
A statement from Mr Waller, who was speaking in a personal capacity, was posted on the Bruton Town Council website on Wednesday, September 27.
He said: “It has become clear that the site will not return to its former purpose as a school, and the owners are in the process of selling the buildings and grounds through the agents Knight Frank.
“We have been told that there has been a great deal of interest but that the most likely purchasers will be property developers with a focus on residential occupancy – in other words, housing.
“The nursery school continues to function on one part of the site and with its separate entrance may continue in its present location.
“Otherwise, the site consists of some buildings which may be converted to houses or flats and others which will possibly be demolished and replaced.
“There is also the possibility of extensive new build.
“The houses previously occupied by staff have already been marketed and some sales have been arranged or concluded.
“All of this amounts to a considerable change in our community and potentially a dramatic alteration to our local environment.”
Mr Waller said the parish council was in the process of registering the astroturf pitches within the site as assets of community value – meaning they could not be redeveloped without giving the community an opportunity to purchase them for local provision.