The Old School Project

THE OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL: MOVING FORWARD

The Old School as it was.

 

We are pleased to report that the project is making significant moves forward in 2010. 

The latest news is that the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) have granted planning permission for our proposals.

To view the latest drawings click here.

 

 

Moretonhampstead Development Trust Update on the Old School Project

Invitation to Tender

Moxley McDonald Architects, on behalf of Moretonhampstead Development Trust, are inviting tenders for the refurbishment of the old Victorian primary school in Moretonhampstead.

If you would like to tender for the above project, please contact Ian McDonald on 01364 72162 or email him.

Tenders must be received by 12.00 noon on Monday 21st June. After this your fully priced Schedule of works A60 should be returned by 25th June if requested.

The project is entering its final stages, with most of the funding in place.  We await the outcome of one final application to the Regional Development Agency.  As our last survey of artists was some time ago, we would be very grateful if you could let us know your thoughts on this project.  All and any support that we can get at this time would help our case for funding.

Studio space

Our plans for the studio spaces in the old school are based upon the Exeter Castle model, where artists can specify how much space is required.  Spaces are then partitioned off accordingly. If you are interested in hiring studio space please download the questionnaire and return to us.

The Project

Since the Primary School moved out, the Dartmoor National Park have clearly said that the much-loved older, Victorian building on the southern part of the site should remain in community use when Devon County Council sells off the northern part for housing. The recent Parish Appraisal identified several possibilities for its use, and these have been combined in a plan to refurbish it as:

  • A high-quality base for young people in the town (in the East Wing;)

  • An arts and heritage centre - to showcase local talent, stage exhibitions and to support the local arts and crafts community;

  • A new and accessible learning / IT suite for the Adult and Community Learning Centre;

  • Studios for artists and craftspeople, offices and workshops for businesses and community groups;

  • Services such as the Parish Council, Citizens Advice and possibly the Police, all under one roof.

This meets a community need for a youth centre (since the closure of the Plymouth Inn) and provides better, more accessible spaces for public services.  It also provides Moretonhampstead with a focus for business and tourism development, creating new office space alongside a new tourist attraction for the town that will also support our vibrant, local arts community.

A long held and underlying aim in developing the Old School project is not just to meet local needs and provide local services, but also to create a viable building.  For us this means that it will cover it's costs and generate surplus revenue that can be ploughed back into local community development, for example through a local grants scheme.Old Primary School today

Devon County Council have recently agreed to offer the building on a long lease and peppercorn (free) rent and have committed to funding the refurbishment and ongoing running costs of the Youth side. The Greater Dartmoor Local Enterprise Action Group are funding development work in this year, including architects fees, surveys etc. and we are in discussion with other organisations to secure further funding and finance. 

As a part of the fundraising we have also launched a Community Appeal to raise £20,000.  Community support will demonstrate local commitment for the project and help us attract further funding.  So we have set up a funding appeal which we hope residents will want to support.   

If you would like more information, or can offer any help or advice, please contact Julia Darby at the Development Trust on 440855 or email manager@moretonhampstead.com

We very much appreciate any donation you can gve towards the project. You may donate with a cheque made out to 'Moretonhampstead Development Trust' sent directly to us, by cash or using the secure paypal link below. Otherwise please contact Julia on the above number.

We plan to take possession of the building by July 2010 and to complete the building work as soon as possible after that. Can we emphasise that we have to make sure the project is a viable, self-financing business from the day it opens, and not a drain on public or charitable funds. To this end the Development Trust is working with Devon County Council officers and consulting those with experience of running such schemes elsewhere. We think this project will benefit all sections of our community and we do hope you will want to support it.

John Willis (Chair, Development Trust), Ron Jones (Chair, Parish Council), Peter Middleton (Chair, Business Association)

Please give your donation here:

The Old School in years gone byDays gone by for our old Primary School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To download an architect's plan of the proposed interior of the project please click on this link.

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