SAVE Britain’s Heritage heads to Court of Appeal in bid to rescue and repurpose Victorian village school
By 2021, the buildings were showing signs of clear neglect (GHG)
Residents of Garway gather outside the Old School in protest of its demolition
The Victorian former school buildings pictured in 2008 (GHG)
24th May 2023
Our campaign to save a historic Victorian school building in Herefordshire from imminent demolition is set to culminate this Thursday at the Court of Appeal in London.
The appeal - which makes the case that demolition was approved in 2022 without correct process - will be decided at a public hearing in the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand this Thursday 25th May 2023 10.30 - 16.30. All are welcome to attend.
The hearing follows a sustained legal battle fought alongside the local community in the village of Garway, Herefordshire, since 2020. If successful, we hope to set a legal precedent that could help save thousands of other unprotected historic buildings across the country.
A key issue throughout the campaign has been whether permitted development rights to demolish a building apply whether the building has been rendered uninhabitable by the action or inaction of a landowner. In this case, the historic school buildings have been neglected by the owner, who has failed to undertake any maintenance since 1992 but now claims the buildings can be demolished in the interests of public safety under permitted development legislation.
Help us fund the legal fight by donating to our Just Giving fund HERE. Thank you for adding your support.
We will be represented in the Court of Appeal by leading planning barrister Richard Harwood OBE KC and solicitor Susan Ring of Harrison Grant Ring.
As with all of SAVE's work, the ultimate aim of our campaign is to see this historic building sustainably reused and Garway's history and character preserved, while also providing attractive and much-needed new housing in the village.
CLICK HERE for full details on the campaign to date.
ENDS
Note to editors
1. For more information contact Ben Dewfield-Oakley, conservation officer at SAVE Britain’s Heritage – ben.dewfieldoakley@savebritainsheritage.org / 020 7253 3500
2. SEE HERE for our previous press release on the campaign in April 2023.
3. SAVE Britain’s Heritage is an independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses.
4. Too Good to Lose: Historic Schools at Riskis a publication by SAVE Britain's Heritage which looks at the alarming number of Victorian, Edwardian and inter-war schools at risk of decay and demolition, as well as some that have been saved, refurbished or converted for new use.