A long-abandoned building in Dorset, once a school, has become a significant arson threat and a hotspot for anti-social behaviour. More than two years ago, Dorset Council stated the property was “under review,” but local officials now warn its condition has worsened substantially.
Sherborne rural councillor Robin Legg recently disclosed that Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service has voiced serious concerns about the risk of arson at the site, which has remained empty for over 20 years. These worries have been formally communicated to Dorset Police.
The building in question, Newall House, is Grade II listed and boasts sections dating back to the 17th century. Located at the junction of the A30 and Marston Road, it has fallen into severe disrepair. Overgrown with ivy, crumbling, no longer watertight, and vandalized with graffiti, the house has become an eye-sore and a magnet for undesirable activities.
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Local residents have repeatedly urged Dorset Council to intervene. However, councillor Gill Taylor, the portfolio holder for housing, told a recent people and health overview committee that due to its status as a former school, Newall House lies outside the council’s empty homes strategy.
Nonetheless, Taylor assured the committee that the council remains aware of the property and has coordinated efforts involving Building Control, Conservation, and Housing Standards teams to work with the owner. Their focus has been on securing the site and preventing unauthorized access, indicating that action is being taken behind the scenes.
Though the school closed its doors in 2000, pressure to address its decline intensified in 2023, with public demands for council intervention.
Sir Christopher Colville, former chairman of the Sherborne branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, criticized the council’s apparent inaction. Comparing it unfavourably with ongoing preservation efforts at Sherborne House—a nearby arts and performance centre—he expressed disappointment that this historically recognized building has effectively been neglected.
From the planning perspective, councillor David Walsh previously clarified that because there were no active breaches of planning or listed building regulations, responsibility rested with the owner. While authorities have brought concerns to the owner’s attention and explored powers under the Town and Country Planning Act, they concluded that enforcement would need to clearly serve the public interest and consider the owner’s situation. For now, such intervention has been deemed inexpedient, but the situation will continue to be monitored.
This complex issue highlights the challenges of preserving historic properties while balancing legal constraints and public safety considerations.