Purbeck View School in Swanage, Dorset, has been put up for sale, marketed as an opportunity to build a new development of 92 homes.
Offers are being invited on an unconditional basis for the four and a half acre site which has been a school since the 1920s, located on the corner between Walrond Road and Northbrook Road.
The brochure highlights in red, the location of the Purbeck View School site in Swanage
“Residential development opportunity”
Originally known as the private Forres School, it changed hands in 1993, and became a residential school for autistic students operated by Cambian Education.
Purbeck View, which was one of the town’s largest employers, closed down in August 2023, following a damning report by the school’s watchdog Ofsted.
In the marketing brochure produced by property consultants Montagu Evans, the site is described as a “residential development opportunity”, although the demand for specialist residential school places remains high in Dorset.
Artist’s impression of what new housing could look like on the Purbeck View School site
New houses and flats
Architect plans have been drawn up for 53 new houses and 39 new flats, alongside community space, with no plan to retain any of the attractive 1920s school buildings.
In the details, it says that pre-application advice from Dorset Council was received in July 2024:
“Demonstrating an ‘acceptance in principle’ to the proposal of residential-led development subject to further detail in respect of density, design and impact on local heritage assets.”
Purbeck View School is a substantial 1920s building with seaviews
Second homes and affordable housing rules
Although the brochure appears to reference the emerging Dorset local plan which outlines a framework for future planning decisions, it doesn’t mention the Purbeck local plan which was adopted in July 2024.
The Purbeck local plan restricts the sale of new build properties as second homes and sets targets for affordable housing, with developments of 10 or more homes having to provide 30 percent for brownfield sites, which are those that have previously been developed like the Purbeck View site.
The marketing also refers to the possibility of the site for retirement living or for residential care, as well as continuing for educational use.
Outline planning permission for Harrow House has faced a barrage of objections including from neighbour Jonathan Ross
Adjacent to Harrow House site
The site is next to Harrow House, which also used to be a school. The language school for international students closed in 2020 and the site has been acquired by housing developers.
An application for outline planning permission for 93 new homes is currently under consideration by Dorset Council planners.
There have been more than 50 objections to the plans so far including from Swanage Town Council and TV host Jonathan Ross who has a home nearby.
Sport England has also opposed the granting of planning permission due to the loss of the school playing fields.
The Purbeck View School brochure points out that planning for the similar school site at Harrow House, will help to provide further planning precedent.
Both housing developments would be accessed via Walrond Road, a narrow residential road with limited line of sight at the junction with Northbrook Road.
Further information
- Purbeck View School marketing brochure
- More about property consultants Montagu Evans
- Harrow House planning application P/OUT/2024/03253
