Members of a charitable trust have pledged to “work tirelessly” to transform a historic former school site in a Yorkshire Dales town after councillors agreed to hand the building over to create a centre for creativity and digital enterprise.
Our executive has today (Tuesday, 6 May) given the go-ahead for the former Richmond Grammar School building to be transferred to the Richmondshire Building Preservation Trust.
The trust will now begin a campaign to secure funding to redevelop the site, which is owned by us, into a community facility aimed at bringing cultural events as well as cutting-edge technology to the Dales.
The plan is also due to focus on providing opportunities for the younger generations in a move that is aimed at ensuring young people are able to access activities in their local communities.
Members of our executive approved the plans which have been drawn up by the trust following 12 months of extensive consultations with the public.
Deputy leader, Cllr Gareth Dadd, whose responsibilities include finance and assets, said: “This decision represents a major milestone for Richmond and the surrounding area with these ambitious plans to transform the site.
“The go-ahead to transfer the building to the trust fits into our vision for the whole county to bring opportunities and boost the local economy for our communities.
“What is particularly appealing about the plans is that there is a big focus on providing opportunities for all ages, but especially young people to experience culture and access cutting-edge technology locally.
“We are committed to working with the trust to ensure its vision is realised. But this really is the last option for the site, which will have to be sold if this project does not progress.”
The trust, which was formed in 2003, engaged extensively with the community throughout last year while working with the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise.
These consultations helped the trust to identify suitable uses for the building on Station Road, both for the use of the site and pinpointing the needs of the local community.
A 130-page business plan was submitted to the council and the preservation trust’s chief executive officer, Chris Brown, has pledged to raise millions of pounds in funds to transform the building.
He said: “Thanks to North Yorkshire Council's approval as building owners, we will now work tirelessly to bring to life the site for the benefit of Richmond and the wider region. It will require a major effort to secure funding, and we will explore all avenues available to us.
“Our proposals not only offer exciting new experiences for the area, with education and youth engagement being key themes alongside digital creativity, but also include plans to make the site fully accessible and, subject to planning approval, offer on-site parking.
“We know people are eager to see the building restored to its former glory as it holds fond memories for many people in our community and is a famous site in Richmond.”
The Grade II listed building is located within the Richmond Conservation Area and has remained vacant since the school was closed in 2011, despite previous efforts to bring it back into community use.
Former pupils at the school, which was founded in the 14th century, include the world-famous author Lewis Carroll, who wrote the novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and its sequel, Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.
The plans also offer the potential to re-locate or accommodate existing assets and services such as the town’s library as well as broader community learning facilities.
Elected member for the Richmond division, Cllr Stuart Parsons, said: “The approval of the trust’s plans by the executive today is a major new step towards securing the future of the former grammar school’s site.
“The benefits will be felt by residents in Richmond and the surrounding area, while also bringing in visitors to experience what the town and the Dales has to offer.”
The preservation trust already has a proven track record in giving historic buildings in Richmond a new lease of life after transforming the town’s former railway station.
The trust was responsible for developing The Station, which is located in the former Victorian railway building and is now home to a three-screen independent cinema, a restaurant and a shop as well as galleries and independent businesses.
The Station, which opened in 2007, has retained many of its original railway features, including the large platform area, original ironwork and an impressive glazed roof.
A report to executive members stressed that the council remains committed to ensuring that the building is used as a community facility.
However, if grant funding is not secured, the report stated that the site, which has a current market value of about £370,000, would be put up for sale.