Former schoolhouse in Swaffham threatened with enforcement

The empty 18th-century schoolhouse in Swaffham's marketplace has been increasingly targeted by vandals in recent months and local councillors have been urged to intervene. 

While more security measures have been requested to protect the site, members of Breckland Council are now considering a formal notice requiring improvements to be carried out. 

This follows complaints that the school, which closed down more than a decade ago, has been given less favourable treatment than buildings in the centre of neighbouring towns. 

The old school in Swaffham's marketplace (Image: Denise Bradley) SUFFERING SCHOOL

The 18th-century schoolhouse stopped being used as a sixth form centre in 2009 and was subsequently home to an antiques shop, though this venture was short-lived. 

Plans have previously been approved to transform the site - with grounds including boarding accommodation, a gymnasium and a classroom building - into an 18-home development.

However, work on this project is yet to begin and the building remains vacant. 

READ MORE: Two shops in Norfolk to be refurbished as part of £5m project

The old school in Swaffham's marketplace (Image: Denise Bradley) Former students of the school have said there is "too much apathy" about the redundant site, which has been subject to vandalism in recent months. 

This has resulted in "extensive internal damage" to the building and extra security measures are now due to be brought in, including the boarding up of windows, doors and gates to prevent people from entering. 

NEXT STEPS

Local councillors have come under pressure to take action as comparisons have been drawn between the dilapidated site and the former Akaash Tandoori in Dereham. 

The restaurant had been called a "stain" on the town as it sat abandoned and Breckland Council issued an enforcement notice in 2022 requiring improvements to the property. 

However, this has now expired and the council has launched a legal battle to fight for a resolution. 

The building is Grade II-listed (Image: Denise Bradley) READ MORE: THIRD bid to turn town home into HMO for asylum seekers

Judy Anscombe, Breckland councillor for Swaffham, said: "The old schoolhouse is not a pretty sight and has had a lot of damage done.

"We have asked for urgent attention to these issues and for access to the site to be secured immediately. 

"Our next step will be to speak with the legal team in planning to go down the route of enforcement and see what we can do to get something done."

While the council has been in talks with the owners of the Akaash building since 2015, progress with the old schoolhouse has been more complex due to it having changed hands multiple times in quick succession - three times this year alone. 

ENFORCEMENT HOPE

While the council is hopeful for cooperation with its request for additional security measures, the threat of enforcement action will remain hanging over the heads of the owners. 

If the building continues to fall into disrepair, Breckland Council could issue a formal notice requiring additional work to be completed if no action is taken at the site. 

Nearly a decade later, Dereham's derelict Akaash Tandoori restaurant remains empty (Image: Denise Bradley) For the Akaash this included redecorating external woodwork and walls, and taking down old signage.

Despite a lack of cooperation with these requests, the council is due to appear at court to secure an order requiring work to be carried out. 

The authority hopes that following success in court, the restaurant can be brought back to its former glory.