The former Newell House School in Sherborne, a historic and much-loved Grade II listed building, was severely damaged by a fire on April 26. The blaze, first reported at 5:58 pm, raged for hours, causing the roof to collapse and leaving significant damage in its wake. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
Local authorities and heritage groups have expressed deep concern that this devastating incident could have been avoided. The Sherborne and District branch of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) stated that Dorset Council “could and should” have done more to protect the building, which in recent years had become a hotspot for persistent anti-social behaviour.
Sir Christopher Coville, chairman of the Sherborne and District CPRE, described the fire as a “tragic loss” and highlighted the council’s failure to act decisively despite repeated warnings over the building’s deteriorating condition. Unoccupied for over two decades, Newell House had suffered from vandalism and trespassing, with insufficient measures taken by both the property owner and local authorities to safeguard it.
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“We have urged both the Town and County Councils for urgent action to protect Newell House and its large garden, including a listed barn,” Sir Coville stated. “While the Town Council has offered support, Dorset Council officials have struggled with regulatory and financial constraints and have not demonstrated the determination necessary to prevent this predictable outcome.”
Sherborne Town Council has called on Dorset Council to address ongoing anti-social behaviour and strengthen protections for vulnerable historic sites.
Dorset Council expressed sadness over the fire’s destruction and confirmed that multiple parts of the building were unsafe post-fire. A contractor has been appointed to oversee safety works, with a safety cordon established around affected areas. The council also noted ongoing engagement with the building’s owner regarding repairs and safety measures, citing provisions under The Building Act 1984 to recover costs related to emergency work.
Meanwhile, Dorset Police continue to investigate the fire, which is suspected to have been deliberately set. Sir Coville and community leaders have called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire to learn lessons and hold Dorset Council accountable for protecting the county’s historic buildings.