Consent sought to repair school damaged by fire

Planning consent is being sought to repair parts of a North Devon school building damaged by fire last December.

Children haven’t been able to return to Holywell Church of England School at Tawstock near Barnstaple since the blaze caused by an electrical fault.

It caused significant heat and smoke damage to a classroom.

The 83 pupils have been temporarily taught in spare rooms at Roundswell Community Primary Academy while repairs are carried out.

The school has now applied for planning permission from North Devon Council to replace the roof, windows and doors, which is not part of the 200-year old listed main building but added in the mid-to-late twentieth century.

The classroom was also extended in 2008 to provide a staff room and disabled toilet.

Structural engineers Gateley Smithers Purslow said the work would not only repair the damage but extend the usable life of the building.

It said that quality windows “provides enhanced thermal performance and security whilst maintaining the character of the property without any alterations to the fabric of the principle structure or impact on the Grade II listed school building or conservation area in general.”

Materials would match those used currently and the work included replacing cedar shingles on the roof, which is still in good condition, said the firm of surveyors and architects.

Children from Holywell School were accommodated at the Roundswell Academy, which was built in 2020 and is still not at full capacity with classes up to Year 3 only.