Former village school buildings in £8m redevelopment

LEEDS-BASED developers Rushbond Group and Advent Developments are investing £8m in turning a disused village school into a residential development.

The grade II-listed buildings have been disused for nearly 10 years, and will now be transformed into 49 houses.

Triton Construction have been appointed as contractors to carry out the work at the Upper Wortley school.

The development will be dubbed Greenhill Fold, and is set for completion in Spring 2016.

Tim Reeve, on behalf of the developers,  said: “We are delighted to start work regenerating this site and transforming a much loved local landmark into a superb selection of high quality family homes. 

“We consulted closely with the local community prior to the planning application and have received a huge amount of support from the people of Wortley, who are really keen to see this building transformed back into an integral part of the community.

“The whole development is designed to be sympathetic to the original listed building while maximising its original features, which will create a fantastic range of ‘loft’ style houses that are full of character and personality.

“The new-build aspect of the scheme will complement and contrast with this perfectly offering a wide selection of contemporary homes that are all finished to an exceptional standard.”

Cllr David Blackburn added: “There is a huge contingent of former pupils who still live within the community and I share their delight that the school will be saved and given a new, sustainable life creating a significant development and regenerating this pocket of the ward.”