Owners of a historic Ripon site, which fell into a state of disrepair, have apologised to neighbours as the area is prepared for residential redevelopment.
Leeds-based Graycliffe Homes bought the former Girls’ High School Old Lecture Building, on College Road, as a development opportunity ten years ago.
Over the past decade, the two storey red brick Edwardian building has had windows broken and slates stolen while its grounds became overgrown.
Graycliffe’s managing director, Wayne Butterfield, who has been involved in a major tidy up of the area, told the Stray Ferret:
“It has become something of an eyesore and for that I would like to apologise to our neighbours.
“The new homes development here will see a transformation, that I hope is to the liking of people who live nearby.”
Planning permission was granted by Harrogate Borough Council for the former high school to be refurbished and converted to create eight townhouses.
An architect’s drawing showing how the refurbished building will look. Picture: Graycliffe Homes
There will also be five new-build homes on the site, which will be landscaped, with green spaces retained.
Graycliffe will not carry out the conversion and new build, but it is in discussions with developers who will carry forward the scheme.
Christopher Hughes, chair of Ripon Civic Society, welcomed the activity on site.
He said:
“This is an historically important building dating back to 1908 and we are pleased to see that is is being retained for conversion within the overall redevelopment plans.
“The society has taken a great interest in this site over the years and, at long last and many hold ups and frustrations, we are pleased to see it being tidied up in readiness for disposal to a developer, who will convert the former school building and carry out the other works.”
The building as it currently looks
The former school provided secondary education for girls, until its amalgamation with Ripon Grammar School in the early 1960’s.
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Afterwards, the building was used as part of the Ripon Teacher Training College and later the College of Ripon & York St John.
Following the closure of the training college, it was let to Leeds Metropolitan University whose lease on the building ended in 2012.