Apartment plan at dilapidated former borough school

Applicant John Littler wants to demolish the King Street School, in Leigh, and build a three to four storey block of 29 flats.

The methodist school, which dates back to the late 19th century, is at present unoccupied due to water damage and is currently unsafe to use.

Due to its current condition and the cost of repairing and renovating it, it is proposed to bulldoze the school for the homes which would include parking.

The school survived until around the 1980s and the premises were subsequently occupied by Leigh College before educational use ended around the turn of the 21st century.

This was after the merger of institutions that created Wigan and Leigh College in 1992.

In recent years, the premises have housed a number of short term uses, including a children’s nursery and a gym.

The building and vast school site has become increasingly derelict with rubbish dumped there and overgrown plants.

Planning documents submitted as part of the application read: “It is understood that the current scheme of redevelopment has been drawn up in the light of guidance from the council.

“It comprises a block of 29 apartments, with nine apartments on each of three floors and two loft style apartments in the roof space. As now, vehicular access would be obtained from the service road and 14 on site car parking spaces are proposed.”

Documents said that an assessment has found the proposed demolition of the former school would represent the loss of an undesigned heritage asset of modest significance.

However, they said the scheme would boost housing in the area.

The application added: “It is clear that the proposed scheme of redevelopment has the potential to make a highly sustainable contribution to the housing stock within Leigh town centre.”

The plans will be considered at a future meeting of Wigan Council’s planning committee.