New lease of life for old bricks
Mon 22 Nov 2021
Danny Barradale, Residential Professional Associate
One of the latest lettings instructions this autumn as a ‘one-off’ property as it is a development opportunity offering the tenant the chance to convert and live in former school house in the Vale of Belvoir countryside ,near Grantham.
Dating back to 1843, the Grade II Listed property is the former school house on Main Street in the rural village setting of Branston.
It is being offered through Shouler & Son, as the sole agent, as a development opportunity on a full repairing lease and with full planning permission granted by the local authority for conversion to an open plan-style, two bedroom home with extension to the rear and off-street parking.
The former school house is built in the vernacular style and retains many of its original features.
It is constructed from coursed ironstone with limestone dressings and a fishscale tiled roof and stone-coped gables with finials. It has its original school house stone mullioned and transom window settings with original hood mouldings.
In addition, the central doorway has a projecting gabled porch with limestone front and loop-holes to each side.
According to the residential specialists at Shouler & Son, the popularity of converting former school houses, chapels or barns in the countryside is a testament to reconciling our fondness for the past with our desire for modern comforts.
The firm’s experts advise that local authorities often limit such redundant buildings for conversion to those having scope to retain the traditional design or appearance or that are viewed as worth keeping in order to protect the historic character of the setting.
They also say that this is why the most successful conversions should continue, from the outside, to represent what was there before and not, in any way, look like a conventional house.
And Shouler & Son letting agent, Dan Barradale - who is leading the letting of 25 Main Street on behalf of the landlord - admits that not only will the completed conversion be an unconventional residence but the former school house is also far from conventional letting opportunity too for the right tenant.
He said, “Undoubtedly, this is a unusual opportunity when it comes to the local lettings market and the agreement is not the standard type of assured shorthold tenancy that characterises the modern lettings market.
“While it is unlikely to appeal to tenants with more mainstream property requirements, it is a property that gives the right tenant the opportunity to renovate to an agreed standard and put their own, personal stamp on it.
“Given its proximity to the A1 and Grantham and onward East Coast Mainline railway links to London King’s Cross, this former school house may well appeal to urban tenants who, in wanting to make their escape to the countryside, are not quite in the position to purchase in the keen housing markets of our area’s popular rural village and market town locations.
“Equally, it’s an opportunity which might appeal to more locally-based tenants who, themselves, aspire to living in a one-off home in a countryside setting.”
Viewing of the former school house at 25 Main Street, Branston, Vale of Belvoir, near Grantham is strictly by appointment through Shouler & Son as the sole agent.
To arrange a viewing or for more information about the property and its lease terms as a development opportunity, contact Dan Barradale in the lettings department of Shouler & Son.
Email: d.barradale@shoulers.co.uk.
Telephone: 01664 560181 or see shoulers.co.uk/properties/14684176/lettings.