Plans have been submitted to Bury council to convert part of the former Bury Grammar School estate into new homes. The three buildings, in Tenterden Street, Bury, currently stand empty after being vacated by the school when it 'rationalised and expanded' its estate.
History of the Site
The premises are thought to date back to around 1927 when they served as a police station and courthouse. The site was bought by Bury Grammar School in 1993 and was initially used as a junior boys' school. Later, it became a sixth form centre.
Proposed Development
Developer Property Investment Complete Ltd has put forward proposals to convert what were the Main School Building, Arts Building and Sixth Form Building into new homes. Some 21 apartments are suggested for the site.
Of these, 14 could be created in the main building, two in the arts centre and five in the sixth form building. Add-ons are also proposed for the latter two buildings, which would see the existing single-storey extensions increased to two storeys.
Planning and Access
Planning documents state Property Investment Complete Ltd has sought pre-application advice from Bury council, which has indicated residential use would be acceptable on the land. Following council advice, plans for the site have changed from 'wholesale redevelopment' to retaining and adapting the existing buildings.
Property Investment Complete Ltd said its works would 'retain the principal elevations and architectural detailing of the main building', while extensions to the others would be 'sympathetic'.
Access is proposed to be maintained from Tenterden Street, with sections of the boundary wall to be 'reduced or removed' to improve visibility for vehicles entering or leaving the site. Some 23 parking spaces are planned, with some of the existing spaces to be removed to allow for more landscaped areas.
