Former school redevelopment at Former Alnwick The Dukes Middle School The Dunterns, Alnwick

“North Planning Committee 23 rd Oct 2025 Application No: 24/03629/LBC Proposal: Listed Building Consent for demolition and redevelopment of the modern extensions and outbuildings; convert former school to 13 residential apartments; 46 residential dwellings, create landscaped open area, all ancillary works including car parking, access and drainage.”

“The application seeks listed building consent for the conversion of the former Duke's School buildings into 13no residential apartments, together with the demolition and redevelopment of modern extensions and outbuildings.”

“The Duke's School is a grade II listed building, dating from 1904, built in ashlar with a slate roof. There are some later additions dating to c1960 which are not considered to be of intrinsic significance although legally they are part of the listed building. There are some later structures adjacent but not attached to the main school dating from c1960. Their dates preclude them from being considered curtilage listed.”

“Reference Number: 19/00501/LBC Description: Listed Building Consent for conversion of Duke's School to residential apartments (27no.), including demolition and rebuild of the modern rear extension, development of specialist elderly living accommodation (49no. apartments) and residential dwellings (22no.), creation of a landscaped open area, all ancillary works including car parking, access and drainage. Status: PER”

“Reference Number: 22/00020/VARYCO Description: Variation of conditions Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) and 21 (protected species licence) pursuant to listed building consent 19/00500/FUL to allow amendments to the general site layout, retirement living block, listed building and mews houses. Status: PER”

“As noted above, the Duke's School is a Grade II listed Ashlar and Slate building dating back to 1904. Later additions dating to the 1960s are not of intrinsic significance (though they are still part of the listing). 1960s era outbuildings adjacent, but not attached, to the school building are precluded from being considered curtilage listed due to their dates.”

“Externally BHD hold to the view that harm arises to the setting of the listed school from development in the grounds. The current proposals bring new build development closer to the listed school building than the previously consented schemes. Together with a further block to the east (plots 24-28) this scheme is a further erosion of the setting of the listed building.”

“Alnwick Town Council The Town Council OBJECTS to this application as it is contrary to Policies ENV3, TR1, H3, H5, and HD5 of the Alnwick & Denwick Neighbourhood Plan (ADNP), which is the most recently made relevant plan.”

“Building Conservation Objection. If implemented in the form proposed they would give rise to less than substantial harm within the terms of NLP policies ENV7(5) and Framework paragraph 215. Policies QOP1 and ENV1 would not be met insofar as the proposal does not conserve, enhance or protect a valued, designated heritage asset. Under QOP6(6) proposals which would materially diminish the standard of design in an already approved scheme will not be supported.”

“Councillor Thorne proposed to accept the officer’s recommendation, with the additional condition to secure a method statement for the removal and relocation of the War Memorial plaques, with wording to be delegated to the planning officer in conjunction with the Chair. Councillor Mather seconded the motion.”

“RESOLVED that the application be GRANTED permission subject to the conditions outlined in the report and an additional condition to secure a method statement for the removal and relocation of the War Memorial plaques, with wording to be delegated to the planning officer in conjunction with the Chair.”