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ITEM EX5 - ANNEX 1 - APPENDIX 1

EXECUTIVE - 7 APRIL 2004

DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTYWIDE SPECIAL SCHOOL PROVISION INCLUDING WOODEATON MANOR AND IFFLEY MEAD SCHOOLS

WOODEATON MANOR SCHOOL

Comments on the Proposed use for pupils with emotional and Behavioural Difficulties.

Woodeaton Manor is an extremely fine Grade11* listed Country House dating from 1775.

Grade 11* listings are given because of a building’s ‘outstanding architectural or historic interest’ and this grading places it within only 6% of the listed buildings in the country.

The Manor House contains many important and delicate features by the celebrated architect Sir John Soane. Many of these are by their very nature especially vulnerable to damage. They include carved and inlaid fireplaces, 18c pier mirrors with inlaid veneered segmental tables, jib doors with leather book spines, decorative plasterwork and timber mouldings, inlaid West African Mahogany doors, shuttered windows and 18c glass in the majority of the windows.

The building was not designed as a school and is vulnerable to damage from school use. It has been only the care and enthusiasm of the present staff that has enabled it to remain in its relatively undamaged state. I recently visited Wendover House in Buckinghamshire to assess how a similar building, not originally designed as a school but classed as a Grade II listed building, had been used for EBD children and what impact this use had had on its fabric. Similar to tha situation at Woodeaton, the staff appeared to have a respect for the building and there was little sign of any damage. It should be noted however that Woodeaton is a far more sensitive building ( as shown by its Grade II* classification) than Wendover with far more features of interest and importance within it.

As a contrast, the grade 11 listed Mansion House that forms part of Wheatley Park School has been badly treated by the pupils there and they are not pupils with special needs. Doors, door cases and frames, skirtings and ceilings have been mistreated simply through a lack of respect for the building by both staff (in managing the building) and pupils.

I am most concerned that if the type of pupil at Woodeaton is changed to those who need a ‘robust and resilient environment in which vandalism must be expected’, then there will be a significant risk of it being damaged in the same way that the Mansion House has been, particularly if staff changes mean that the appreciation of the historic importance of the building is in doubt. If however, some form of guarantee could be provided which;

(a) ensures that the category of child to be relocated to Woodeaton as part of the Northfield School/Woodeaton School review would create no more of a risk to the fabric of the building than those already there; and

(b) ensures that staff who will be managing the new intake of pupils at Woodeaton would be, either the existing staff ( who appear to have a knowledge and respect for this historic building), or new staff are made aware

and sign up to some form of conservation management plan and training which would reinforce to them its historic significance;

then I would be prepared to support Option 1 of the last report to Executive on this matter( ie. Developing additional provision for 40 pupils requiring therapeutic support at Woodeaton), subject to the provision of a Conservation Plan as outlined by English Heritage prior to any decision being made on the change of occupancy. Such a Conservation Plan would set out what is special and important about the building and provide guidance in protecting its values. It would identify what gives significance to the place and propose policies for preserving and enhancing it through the process of conservation and adaption to new uses.

I am unable to support either Option 2 or the proposal for residential provision for 20 pupils at Woodeaton as mentioned in the last report for the reasons set out earlier and for the reasons outlined by English Heritage.

Owners of Listed Buildings have a responsibility to look after their buildings properly and Local Authorities have powers to serve Repairs Notices on owners who neglect their buildings. As a consequence, Local Authorities with this power of control have an added responsibility to look after their own listed buildings and to be seen to be doing so.

John Hamilton.

Principal Planning Officer

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