Cheshire village schoolhouse in 'state of disrepair' put up for rent

The much-loved former youth centre has been vacant for around two years

A former Victorian schoolhouse in the heart of a Cheshire village which has been vacant for two years has been put up for rent. Cheshire East Council is seeking a community group to take the ex-Shavington Youth Centre.

The future of the Main Road building had long been in doubt having been closed after it fell into a state of disrepair. Members of Shavington-cum-Gresty Parish Council along with Crewe and Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan have been campaigning to save the centre.

The building was recently listed as 'to let' on the Cheshire East Council website. The authority is seeking offers to acquire the 99-year lease for the whole site 'for community use'.

READ MORE: Two Crewe schools set to take pupils from the age of two after sudden closure of nurseries

The description of the building published by Cheshire East Council states: "The property is a large and imposing likely Victorian former schoolhouse which has most recently been utilised as the village youth centre.

"The property has been vacant for approximately two years. The property has a variety of pitched roof surfaces with an outer covering of fired clay tiles and ridge tiles.

"External walls are of solid construction with the brickwork being laid in a variety of patterns and pointed in either a Lime or Portland based cement.

"The ground floors within the property are of solid construction, while the floors to the first floor are of suspended construction. Externally the property is set within its own grounds with ceramic brick paving to all elevations."

According to the authority, the accommodation is arranged predominantly over the ground floor with some first floor areas within the ‘house’ portion of the property. It has a gross external area of approximately 442.8 square metres.

It is assumed to have been constructed around the early 20th century, with a variety of later additions and adaptions.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan recently said on Facebook: "As many of you may know, I have been trying to do what I can to stop the old school building in Shavington being sold off by Cheshire East. They have allowed its roof to get into a state of disrepair (which they were obliged to maintain) making it hard for anyone to take it on.

"Nevertheless, working with the parish council (thanks to Cllr Claire Wain - Shavington cum Gresty, Russel Jones, Ben Gibbs and others) we have persuaded Cheshire East to allow a community group to try and run it. I know from my survey that residents want this building saved as a youth club and or other community use.

"If you are an organisation or community group and you think you could make use of the building but would struggle with the roof repair bill do get in touch with me to discuss as there ways to make a conditional application. It might also be several groups could come together."

Expressions of interest need to be submitted to Cheshire East Council by February 24. More details can be found here.

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