DLP Planning, Reading office has secured planning permission and Listed Building Consent for the conversion of The Old British School, Southampton Street, Reading into 12 apartments, arts centre and office. The Old British School is believed to be the oldest surviving “Lancastrian” school in Britain. It was established by Joseph Lancaster in 1810. After the building ceased to operate as a school in 1903 it was used as a schools kitchen, on and off, until 1972. However, apart from a partial youth club use, it has remained derelict since then. The proposals include inserting a mezzanine floor into the building in order to secure additional flats. English Heritage raised some concern regarding this part of the proposal. However, Reading Borough Council agreed with our argument that the need for the productive use of the building, outweighed any possible objections and issued the necessary consents. A legal agreement under s.106 of the Town and Country Planning Act has also been negotiated, which ensures that the developer pays the council for local infrastructure improvements and that the arts centre in part of the building is provided prior to the first residential occupation.
