Victorian building put on ‘at risk’ list – just as developer steps in to save it

The former Heeley Bank School in Heeley Bank Road in Sheffield has been included in the Victorian Society’s list of most endangered in England and Wales. Heeley Bank, built in 1880, was designed by pioneering school architect ER Robson and is rare example of one of his schools outside London.

It is in his distinctive style yet follows Sheffield School Board’s preference for the use of cream-coloured local stone.

Owned by Sheffield Council, the Grade II listed school has been empty since 2008.

A Victorian Society spokesman said: “The street front was boarded up but the back was not and vandals have got in. Lead has been stripped from the roof and there is increasing water damage.”

Valerie Bayliss, chairman of the Victorian Society’s South Yorkshire group, said: “This fine school building is currently for sale, and its future is uncertain and has been jeopardised by the failure to properly secure it. We urge Sheffield City Council to act quickly.”

The endangered list also includes the former Wintringham School/Grimsby College of Art and Design and School Board offices in Eleanor Street, Grimsby, which have been empty since the 1990s.

“The current deplorable state of the buildings demands urgent action. These are great buildings and part of Grimsby’s proud architectural heritage. They need to be rescued quickly,” said a spokesman.

Last year’s top 10 included the Butterley spillway, a stepped overflow structure at Marsden, near Huddersfield.

Yorkshire Water has submitted plans for the spillway which have been criticised because of the proposed use of concrete and the removal of stonework. A decision on the scheme has yet to be taken.

But last night there appeared to be good news for the Heeley Bank building.

A Sheffield Council spokesman said: “Over several months we have been marketing the building to attract a purchaser who would refurbish it and bring it back into use.

“Our aim has been to secure the building’s long term preservation due to its listed status.

“It is now ‘under offer’ and we have been liaising with a potential buyer who is keen to invest in the building and restore it for future use.

“We are currently exploring the detail of purchaser’s proposals with a view to securing the future of this historically important building.”