Former junior school in Beverley could be knocked down to make way for 30 new homes

Plans from developers Ford Water would see the homes built on the site of the former St Nicholas Junior School, in St Nicholas Road, in Beverley. Developers stated the homes had been designed to be in keeping with the two-storey terraces in the surrounding area and feature a mix of balconies, gardens and communal spaces.

But Beverley Town Council said the homes could exacerbate parking congestion in the area and called for the plans to take the issue into account. It comes as East Riding Council’s Planning Committee is set to decide on the plans on Thursday (April 27).

The former school buildings, which closed in 2017 after St Nicolas moved to a new site in Holme Church Lane, would be torn down to make way for the homes. The old school buildings first opened in 1915, with between 250 and 300 pupils attending from 1918 to 1938. It became a junior school after an infants’ department with 120 places opened in 1976 north of St Nicolas Church.

The old school buildings do not have listed status but they are in the local Historic Environment Record. Planning documents for the new homes stated 15 of the 30 new homes would be two bedrooms with studios. A single one-bedroom home with a studio would be built, along with two homes with two bedrooms, five two-bed apartments and seven three-bedroom houses.

A total of 37 parking spaces are included as part of the plans, with access from St Nicolas Road. Developers stated the new homes would improve the area by bringing the site back into use.

They stated: “The site lies within easy walking distance of Beverley and is also close to available public transport links. A bus stop adjacent to the site and the railway station is within easy walking distance.

“The proposed scheme respects the character and appearance of the area in a highly sustainable location and would not result in any adverse impact on the character of the area within which it is located.”

Highways officers raised no objections to the plans and site the former school would have attracted more traffic. Council officers recommended the plans for approval following talks with developers over affordable housing, open spaces and traffic regulations. One objection was lodged from a nearby household claiming St Nicholas Road is already very busy and raising concerns about the design being out of keeping with the area.

Beverley Town Council stated it had no objections to the plans in principle but it was concerned about traffic and parking.

The Town Council stated: “We do not consider there to be enough parking provision on the site to cover the requirements of potential residents. The area already suffers from congested parking and any cars parked off site will exacerbate this problem further.

“The Town Council has no objection to the application, but only on the condition this issue is positively addressed and that all parking spaces have access to charging points for electric powered vehicles.”