Move to breathe new life into former Dales primary school

Retired maths teacher Jonathan Jordan, who spent most of his career at Wetherby High School, wants to re-establish the former primary school building between Skyreholme and Appletreewick, as a field studies centre.

Having bought the building at auction in 2011, he was granted a Certificate of Lawfulness for its established use as a field studies centre.

Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Planning Committee will consider an application to install solar panels on the south west facing roof slope and a new sewage treatment plant when they meet tomorrow. Mr Jordan is also seeking permission for a ridged roof extension to replace the existing flat roofed extension and the stone cladding of the extension,

Mr Jordan said: “I don’t plan to run the facility on a commercial basis. Instead, I would like to give people the opportunity to access the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The solar panels and some of the other improvements will help me to off-set the running costs and bring the building up to current standards.”

However, Appletreewick Parish Council has expressed concerns about some aspects of the application.

A report to be considered by the committee says: “Firstly we feel that the roof-mounted solar panels may be unsightly, as the building is quite prominent and the roof can be seen from many areas locally. Secondly the drainage causes us some concern as the level of the existing septic tank is above ground level at the roadside and may cause leakage problems.”

But officers have recommended members to approve the application subject to conditions.

The school had operated as a field study centre with dormitory accommodation for many years but has been closed for some time.

Kathryn Jukes, director of Directions Planning Consultancy, representing Mr Jordan, said: “The site has been subject to vandalism over the last few years. The applicant would hope that the new package treatment plant could address the parish council’s concerns.”