A DECISION is expected later this week on whether an empty Victorian school can be converted into apartments.

Property developer John Lamb has applied for planning permission to convert the landmark Board School building in Stanley into 25 flats.

The two-storey building, which dates back to 1891 and was more recently used as a Return To Learn education centre, occupies a prominent site in the town’s Front Street, but has been boarded up for the last few years.

In June, it was subject of an arson attack after cleaning fluids were used to start a fire on the ground floor.

The application is for a 2,235-square metre site, including the 900-square metre school buildings and headmaster’s house, and the rear car park.

Under the application, the external fabric of the stone-built school, described in the council planning report as “of elegant proportions” would be largely unchanged, except for a modern extension at the rear of the building.

However, the Bradford-based developer is seeking permission to convert the buildings into 15 ground-floor flats, with five first-floor flats and five second-floor flats.

In all, there would be 17 one-bed flats and eight two-bed flats within the development. Flats at one side would be set aside as “affordable homes” although detail is yet to be finalised.

To the rear, the existing tarmac area would be converted into a 30-space car park and bin storage area, separated from Beamish Street by automated gates to reserve the car park for users of the flats and up to five visitors.

Two objections have been lodged to the development. The Osbourne Conservation Trust says part of the building and schoolyard should be set aside for use as a public library to replace the existing unsuitable site. A second objection has been lodged by a resident of Pelton, raising concerns that the number of parking spaces are insufficient and suggesting they will overflow into surrounding streets.

Council officers have recommended that the application be approved, subject to a number of conditions. Members of Durham County Council’s Area Planning Committee (North) will rule on the application when they meet at County Hall on Thursday.