Empty middle school to be turned into 23 homes

Plans to turn a former middle school into homes have been approved after it stood empty for a decade.

The proposal to build 23 homes at the St James Middle School site in Bury St Edmunds was granted planning permission by West Suffolk Council's development control committee.

All but three of the former school buildings, which have been empty since 2016, will be demolished at The Vinefields.

Those left standing will be converted into 14 flats, while three separate blocks will be built for the remaining nine homes.

The plans were lodged in April 2023 by the Church of England's St Edmundsbury & Ipswich Diocesan Board and M&D Developments, but have received several changes due to the site's historical significance.

The changes reflected concerns raised by residents and local groups, particularly around the scheme's impact on the landscape and heritage assets.

The site was originally the vineyard serving the town's medieval abbey, which holds national significance as one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England.

Objections were received from 12 residents, the Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership and the Bury Society, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Lionel Thurlow, on behalf of the developers, said the latest version of the plans took into account the site's unique location, its relationship with the town, and the historic landmarks.

He said an independent review had confirmed this and concluded the scheme respected the surrounding area.

However, Richard Summers, representing the heritage partnership, told councillors the significance of the main abbey ruins and the River Lark valley was still being underestimated.

He said the terraces of the proposed new buildings would have a "seriously adverse impact" on these and called for stricter conditions to address this.

Works to the historic precinct wall of the former vineyard, on the site's east and south boundaries, had formed a key part of the proposals.

Bury Town Council and the St James Court Residents Association backed the latest version of the proposals.

When discussing the proposals, councillors acknowledged the concerns but agreed with planning officers that the benefits outweighed the harm.

Councillor Sarah Mildmay-White said that, although there were some reservations, the building had been empty for long enough.

"We do understand those concerns, but can we honestly wait another 14 years for something to be done with this building? I think not," she said.

Councillor Rachel Hood, meanwhile, was the only one to suggest more attention should be given to the scheme's impact.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.