A former private school could be converted into housing if plans are approved.
Abbots Bromley School, which was first established in 1874, closed its doors in 2019 when low pupil numbers made it unviable.
For several decades it taught girls only and was known as the School of St Mary and St Anne, but in more recent years it was opened to boys too.
Former pupils include Coronation Street star Sue Nicholls, TV presenter Anna Richardson and former Tory MP Lady Olga Maitland.
There were plans to reopen the school site for educational use by another provider, but the deal fell through in 2021 and the site was placed on the open market and the contents of the school auctioned off.
Now Friel Homes has submitted proposals to East Staffordshire Borough Council to turn the 5.6 hectare site into a housing development.
If the plans are approved some existing school buildings will be retained and converted to form 60 homes, including 27 for over 55s. Other buildings will be demolished and a further 58 homes are proposed to be built, including eight for over 55s, as well as a detached community store.
A planning statement said:
“Our vision is to breathe new life into this significant piece of the village’s landscape by preserving much of the character of the school, prioritising the retention of the existing High Street scene and building new homes in a traditional style, all while meeting the housing needs of this rural community.
“We aim to create a harmonious blend of the old and the new, enhancing the beauty and charm of this beloved village for generations to come.
“Our proposed mixed use development will comprise housing, apartments, bungalows, over-55s accommodation and a new community store.
“The scheme will provide a low density scheme which meets the local housing needs with much sought after bungalows and apartments, an over-55s offering which is not currently available in the village and smaller homes for young people and families.
“It is widely agreed that action must be taken to prevent this unused site from deteriorating any further.
“Our proposed development aims to breathe new life into the community and bring new employment opportunities to the area, while also preserving the historic buildings and the legacy of the former school.”
Planning statement
There are three Grade II Listed buildings in the northern area of the land, known as The Big House, Coleridge House and Dandelion Cottages.
The Grade II Listed chapel lies outside the development site boundary, a design and access statement submitted as part of the application said its future development will “form a later and separate planning application following further consultation with stakeholders including The Guild of St Mary and St Anne and Abbots Bromley Nostalgia Team to determine its future use”.
