PLANS to demolish a historic Victorian school building in Frampton Cotterell have sparked a wave of opposition.
South Gloucestershire Council has applied for a demolition notice for the former Watermore Infant School in Woodend Road, which was previously known as Brockeridge Infants.
The council sold the site to housing association LiveWest to help fund the new Watermore Primary School building in Lower Stone Close, which opened in 2020.
LiveWest’s original plans for the site, which were unveiled in 2021 and approved the following year, included keeping the Victorian school building (in the background of the picture above) and converting it into six flats.
But the affordable housing provider now wants to demolish the building, and the council has applied to its own planning department for permission to knock down the building where generations of villagers went to school.
The building is ‘locally listed’, which means the council considers it to “have good quality design, historical significance or contribute to the character and appearance of the area” – but does not give it any legal protection.
The plan has caused a furious backlash, with more than 350 residents writing individual objections on the council’s planing website by April 2.
Just four people had written in support of the plans.
‘Landmark at the heart of the community’
Resident Kirstie Bidwell wrote: “The building has stood soundly for 179 years and is of great local historical importance and part of the area’s heritage, with its local listing confirming this.
“It is an attractive, characterful landmark at the heart of the community. It is hugely admired and cherished by the many generations of locals that went to school there (and those that didn’t), myself and my children included.”
Ian Haddrell, a member of Frampton Cotterell Local History Society, said: “Built in 1846 by non-conformists for the education of local children. the building has played a significant part in the lives of generations of local residents for over 150 years.”
Julia Flook said: “Local people clearly object, and this should be considered before allowing another monstrosity to be built in its place.
“If this were a privately owned building they wouldn’t even be considering allowing this to be demolished.”
Councillors speak out
All three of Frampton Cotterell’s South Gloucestershire ward councillors have spoken out over the plans.
Tristan Clark said: “It is very disappointing that, years after the initial drop-in event about the redevelopment of the site at the Brockeridge Centre, residents only became aware of the proposed demolition when a Site Notice appeared outside of the former school building.
“It is important that LiveWest engages with the community to arrive at a regeneration scheme that enjoys the broad support of local residents.”
Jon Lean said: “I backed the original proposal from LiveWest which was to convert the Victorian school building and was frustrated when it was later announced that LiveWest would only be able to keep the facade.
“I’m doubly frustrated that they have now announced that the facade will also need to go.
“I share this frustration with the huge numbers of residents who see the locally listed Victorian school building as a valuable community asset which enhances the character of the area.
“Those residents and I have objected to the current prior notification application to demolish the building.
“Should the right to demolish the building be granted, I understand that a full planning application for the site will be coming forward. I hope residents will join me in pushing LiveWest to honour their original commitment to at least retain the appearance of the original facade so that Frampton Cotterell doesn’t lose this cherished street scene forever.”
David Goodwin said: “I attended the drop-in event at the Brockeridge Centre in 2021 and, at the time, I accepted LiveWest’s proposal that they would only retain the facade of the Victorian building in order to provide modern, energy efficient, affordable homes.
“I was saddened to learn that the proposal is now to demolish the building entirely and, alongside local residents, feel that this is a step too far.
“It’s vital we provide local, affordable homes but this must be balanced with respect for the history and heritage of the village. I would encourage LiveWest to find that balance.”
‘Very difficult decision’
Explaining the council’s decision to make the application, a spokesperson said that when it sold the site it chose an affordable housing provider to “achieve three objectives: provide the required capital receipt to fund the new school, maximise affordable housing and to keep the original Victorian school buildings”.
The spokesperson said: “Despite all options being considered by the selected provider, LiveWest, site constraints have restricted the ability to achieve the first two objectives whilst keeping the original school buildings.
“The council therefore needed to make the very difficult decision to submit a Demolition Notice for the remaining buildings in order for LiveWest to proceed with a planning application for their proposed form of development.
“The reasons behind this decision and design options proposed to offset loss of the existing buildings will be presented by LiveWest at a public consultation event.”
The council said the event would be held in Frampton Cotterell on April 7, at a time and venue to be announced.
The Voice has asked LiveWest for a comment on its plans and an explanation of why it believes the old school building needs to be demolished.
The demolition plans can be viewed and commented on by searching for application P25/00620/PND on South Gloucestershire council’s planning website.