A historic former grammar school site in a Yorkshire Dales market town could be transformed into a centre for cultural activities and digital enterprise under plans to be considered by councillors.
The proposals for the former Richmond Grammar School building are aimed at bringing cultural events as well as cutting-edge technology to the Dales.
The plan is also due to focus on providing opportunities for the younger generations in a move that is aimed at ensuring young people are able to access activities in their local communities.
Members of our executive will consider the plans which have been drawn up by the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust following 12 months of extensive consultations with the public.
A report which will be discussed by executive members on Tuesday, 6 May, sets out a move to transfer the former school site, which is currently owned by us, to the preservation trust for use as a community facility.
Deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include finance and assets, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring opportunities and experiences for local communities and visitors to Richmond that would normally only be seen in large towns and cities.
“We will consider the proposals carefully when the executive meets next week as this is the chance to bring the site back into use after more than a decade since the grammar school closed.
“The proposals do have a strong focus on young people which would allow them to take up a host of new opportunities, bringing digital to the Dales. It is a major ambition for us as a council to ensure that we can bring vitality and enterprise to our market towns.
“But ultimately we are in the last chance saloon as the building would have to be sold if this particular project does not progress.”
The Grade II listed building is located within the Richmond Conservation Area and has remained vacant since the school was closed in 2011, despite previous efforts to bring it back into community use.
Former pupils at the school, which was founded in the 14th century, include the world-famous author Lewis Carroll, who wrote the novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.
Members of the preservation trust approached us with a detailed business plan to bring the former grammar school site back into use as a community facility.
The proposals for the building also offer the potential to re-locate or accommodate existing assets and services in the town such as the town’s library as well as broader community learning facilities.
Elected member for the Richmond division, Cllr Stuart Parsons, said: “The former grammar school site holds a very special place in the hearts of so many people in the town.
“To have the opportunity to bring a new chapter for the building is extremely exciting, especially as it would provide new opportunities for young people living in the town and the surrounding area.”
The preservation trust already has a proven track record in giving historic buildings in Richmond a new lease of life after transforming the town’s former railway station.
The trust was responsible for developing The Station, which is located in the former Victorian railway building and is now home to a three-screen independent cinema, a restaurant and a shop as well as galleries and independent businesses.
The Station, which opened to the public in 2007, has retained many of its original railway features, including the large platform area, original ironwork and an impressive glazed roof.
If the proposals to transfer the former grammar school site to the preservation trust are approved, the preservation trust will embark on a major fundraising campaign to finance the development.
A report to executive members has stressed that the council remains committed to ensuring that the building is used as a community facility.
However, if grant funding is not secured, the report states that the former grammar school site, which has a current market value of about £370,000, would be put up for sale.