Former King's Cliffe Endowed Primary School could be turned into town houses

A former village primary school could be converted into houses.

Plans have been submitted to turn the former King's Cliffe Endowed Primary School into four 'town houses'.

The building in Park Street was first opened in the early 1880s and closed in 2017 when the school moved to a £5.2 million site in King's Forest.

This was part of plans by the council to abolish its three-tier education system, which was made up of lower schools, middle schools and upper schools.

Since King's Cliffe Endowed School left the building it has remained empty, despite being advertised for sale.

Smithers Purslow, on behalf of the applicant Rumrat Renovate, has now submitted plans to convert the Grade II listed building into four houses and turn the outside temporary classroom into an annexe.

In the application, which has been submitted to North Northamptonshire Council, the developer says that the conversion 'will preserve the building and provide much-needed housing locally'.

The original elements of the building are believed to date back to the late 17th Century, with a large construction taking place in the mid 19th Century.

"This proposal will preserve the historical significance of this important heritage asset by modestly adapting the building in a sympathetic and appropriate manner," the application said.

"Keeping changes to the building to a minimum and where possible, making enhancements through use of appropriate materials, it will provide a long-term use and keep the building connected with its original construction purpose. "

The applicant has brought down the number of homes proposed for the site, initially starting at six but after pre-application advice decided on three four-bedroom homes and one three-bedroom property.

The plans can be viewed by searching for NE/22/01431/FUL on the North Northamptonshire Council's planning portal.