Gift sold and returned as Victorian primary sold

East Riding Council is handling the sale of the former Welton School on behalf of the descendants of beneficiaries who originally gifted the land for educational purposes.

The primary school closed in September 2003 because of its sub-standard accommodation.

Most of the proceeds of the sale will go to the beneficiaries, who have been traced by the council, which has been maintaining the building.

The council had looked at other possible uses, including as a pupil referral unit, and more recently for social housing.

However a report to the authority's cabinet said the alternatives fell through as the housing association cannot meet the costs, without "substantial assistance" from the council.

It adds: "The housing association has subsequently been working with local community representatives in exploring options for similar types of development in other areas and now had formally confirmed that it is no longer interested in the former Welton School site."

The cabinet will meet next Tuesday to approve the sale.

The council may have to find indemnity insurance to protect itself from any subsequent claims from "previously unidentified" beneficiaries.

The school on Common Lane was originally conveyed in 1911 to the education authority as a site for a school and school house "and for no other purpose whatsoever". Acts dating back to Victorian times limit the current use of the site to mainstream education.

With a growing local population a replacement was needed for the school, and a new 1.9m primary school opened on Elloughtonthorpe Way in September 2003.