The CIC wants to take on the former Burton School for Girls site... Pictures: Sunny Hill For Good CIC/Urban Welsh Explorer

Education News Property Somerset Magazine

Ambitious plan for new community-led development at huge former school site

Paul JonesJuly 30, 20260 Comment0

A COMMUNITY-LED bid to transform a derelict former school site into a mixed-use campus offering opportunities for “lifelong learning”.

The scheme, by the Sunny Hill For Good Community Interest company (CIC), aims to revamp the former Bruton School for Girls site into a “vibrant, financially sustainable mixed-use community campus that preserves its educational heritage while creating new opportunities for future generations”.

A spokesperson went on: “Working with outstanding partners, we will create a place where people of all ages can learn, stay healthy, be active, develop new skills, build careers, express their creativity and connect with their community.”

The plan is based around six pillars, they said: Education & Skills – including an SEND support hub working alongside schools; Sport & Active Lives; Health & Wellbeing, working with the NHS, charities and more; Arts, Culture & Creative Industries – including studios, a theatre and more; Enterprise & Innovation – offering flexible workspaces; Market & Affordable Housing – developing a mix of market and affordable housing could form part of the long-term masterplan.

An impression of how a future development could look. Picture: Sunny Hill For Good CIC

“Sunny Hill will bring together schools, colleges, universities, employers, sports clubs, health providers, charities, arts organisations, businesses, local authorities and the wider community,” the spokesperson said.

“Together, we will create a campus that combines education, sport, health, arts, enterprise and housing to deliver lasting public benefit.

“A place to learn, create, stay active, build careers and strengthen communities—for generations to come.”

A fundraising campaign to start the process has already raised more than £5,500, which the group said would enable it to establish a charitable organisation, appoint legal advisers and begin developing the community bid.

Burton School for Girls closed at the end of the 2022 academic year, having been operating for more than 120 years.

The 34-acre school site has previously been listed for sale with an asking price of around £9 million.

However, nothing has happened, with the buildings falling into disrepair.

The former Bruton School for Girls site has fallen into disrepair. Pictures: Urban Welsh Explorer/FB

Last month, police issued a warning over anti-social behaviour at the “extremely dangerous” derelict site, having noticed an increase in incidents.

And in May, social media influencer Urban Welsh Explorer visited the site and took photographs of the degrading interior and exterior, as they said “nature is slowly reclaiming the halls”.

Scenes captured by the rogue property explorers included a swimming pool filled with dirty water, halls covered in graffiti, and abandoned honour boards alongside smashed doors and windows…