Planning call to save old school’s gymnasium

HERITAGE EXPERTS are urging council chiefs in York to change their plans for a new community centre, so the last remaining part of an old city school can remain standing.

The 1930s Art Deco gymnasium at Burton Stone Lane Community Centre is all that remains of Water Lane High School for Girls, but it is earmarked for demolition under council plans.

York Council wants to use the site for 29 flats and four bungalows in a sheltered housing complex for older people as well as new community facilities.

However, members of the York Civic Trust want to see the building, which was built by renowned architects FT Penty and JEN Thompson in 1939, saved.

The trust’s chief executive, Dr David Fraser, said: “The Trust fully recognises the need to redevelop this site, but we strongly feel that this historic building can and should be retained, if a little more imagination is used.

“As the last surviving building from the Water Lane High School and a great example of 1930s Art Deco design and brickwork, it would be a huge loss to the heritage of York to demolish it.

“A redesign of the site could retain the building and secure this heritage asset for future generations, as well as greatly improving the look of the current designs.”

The council applied for planning permission for the site in February. At the time, planning documents said an initial idea of keeping and revamping the sports hall had to be scrapped as the building was in such a poor state that repair costs would be unaffordable.

The director of adult services, Martin Farran, backed that position, saying the gym also sits on a boiler house which would be “difficult, potentially unsafe and environmentally unfriendly” to upgrade. A consultation held last year saw people who use the space respond positively to the planned “vastly improved and flexible facilities”, he said.