The future of the former Yarmouth Primary School building will be discussed tonight (Tuesday).
Concerns have been raised by residents that the site, on Mill Road, could be turned into luxury flats – while Yarmouth Town Council is trying to save the land and school building for the community and stop it falling into the hands of a private developer.
Presentation before town council meeting
A presentation will be held this afternoon (5.30pm, Yarmouth Community Hall), followed by Yarmouth Town Council’s meeting, at 6.30pm, where the future of the building will be discussed.
The Isle of Wight council says the site has not yet been sold, but the marketing process is likely to start in the new year.
No proposals for the future of the school site
An IW council spokesperson added the authority does not have any proposals for the future of the school site – saying if it were to be sold, it would only be after discussions with town councillors and representatives.
Some residents who want to stop any sale, believe the land and building are subject to a restricted covenant — which means they can only be used for educational purposes.
Site transferred from Diocese to IWC
In 2019, the site was owned by the Diocese of Portsmouth, however ownership has since been transferred to the Isle of Wight council.
The school will be empty from the end of this school term, as pupils and staff move down the road to a new, purpose-built primary school in Freshwater.
Asset of community value
Yarmouth Town Council has submitted its application to turn the site into an asset of community value, which it hopes will preserve the premises for educational and community purposes.
If the application were to be successful and should the building be put up for sale in the next five years, the local community would be informed and given a six-month time period to see if they could raise the funds necessary to purchase it.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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