The former school site on the High Street in Shrivenham remains vacant after the primary school relocated to a modern, larger premises at the Cross Trees Park development. Listed for sale in November 2023 with an asking price of £1.5 million, the building has now been sold after approximately five months on the market to an undisclosed buyer.
Community Petition for a Better Purpose
The sale has prompted local resident David Pratt to launch a petition advocating for a more community-focused use of the site. The petition, which has already drawn 1,146 signatures, calls for the old school to be converted into a healthcare center for the local population. According to Pratt, the site was sold to a higher bidder despite an earlier bid from the NHS.
“The doctors and nurses are currently working in a surgery that was built when our village had a population of fewer than 5,000 people. It’s bursting at the seams,” Pratt explained. With over 5,000 new homes built in the area in recent years, the local surgery is under significant strain as every inch of space has been repurposed to create patient consultation rooms, yet challenges remain.
Issues with Legacy Rules
One of the key disputes revolves around the rules governing the sale of the property. Pratt criticized the 150-year-old Trust deed tied to the site, stating that it stipulates the land was originally donated for educating children in Shrivenham. He believes the deed, drafted in 1863, is outdated and no longer serves the current community’s needs. He argued, “What once was the requirement for a school in 1863 has now turned into a pressing need for a proper GP surgery.”
“It would be a travesty if this site is commercially developed,” Pratt added, underscoring the importance of prioritizing community interests over commercial gain.
Mixed Reactions from Officials
District Councillor Katherine Foxhall expressed her frustration with prioritizing financial return over community wellbeing. She highlighted similar challenges with Ministry of Defence sites in the region, commenting, “These rules need changing so that community wellbeing comes first.”
Conversely, a representative for The Barrington Family Charitable Trust, which oversees the terms of the 1863 deed, defended the decision. “The trustees, bound by charity law, were obligated only to secure the best price for the original school site. Retaining the site for alternative community-focused purposes would have contravened the terms of the original Trust deed,” the spokesperson explained.
The Uncertain Future of a Valued Local Asset
With opinions divided on the best use of the site, Shrivenham residents remain in suspense over what the future holds for the much-loved local landmark. Will it serve a renewed purpose for the community or give way to commercial development? Time will tell.
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