DEMOLITION work on the former George Ward School building could begin within weeks after a planning application was submitted from Persimmon Homes.
The housing developers plan to start knocking down the former school as early as the 1st September to make way for a new development of 270 homes. The school closed in June 2010 after serving thousands of students in Melksham since it opened its doors in 1953. Since then, it has been used by Wiltshire Council as office space.
The news has been met with sadness by former pupils who feel the site could have been put to better use since it closed. Gareth Cole said, “It is a real shame that it will be knocked down and will be seen as an end of an era for many people in the town.
“The building was in a bad way when I was there over 10 years ago, but to see the playing fields and astro turf barely used is a disgrace. More should have been made of the site and it is sad to hear it will be gone.”
Former pupil Joe Hargreaves agreed saying, “It is really sad. We don’t need more homes in Melksham as it is, why couldn’t the space be used for leisure facilities? Actually, that should have been the case in the years since it shut, it has been a wasted use of space that could have been used for the good of the community.”
However, some see the start of demolition as a positive step. Ryan Hart said, “It was about time it was knocked down. The building was in a bad way and hopefully now it can benefit many more people.”
• What do you think? What are your memories of the school? Email news@ melkshamnews.co.uk
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