The Plan

In the simplest form the plan is to provide facilities for a wide variety of recreational activities in such a way as to retain the character and feel of the existing buildings. This will be supported by grants, commercial sub-lettings and all other available sources of income in such a way as to ensure the long term integrity and future of the site.

For community use the site should provide at least two large halls, the school library, a large music practice area, a garden room and several other rooms of varying proportions. The remainder of the building will probably be sympathetically converted into office space which can be let out to businesses, with a preference for organisations with a community, charity or environmental bias.

The picture above right shows the school as drawn by the architect when it was first built.

The following discussion has the rooms numbered and refers to the plan at the top of this page.

Possible uses for the various community rooms

The various community rooms will be available for hire to the organisations and people of the area with the intention being to have the building in use as much as possible.

The Main Central Hall

The main central hall (10), which it is hoped will continue to house the bust of Herbet Strutt, might contain an exhibition documenting the historic significance of the Strutt family and the school to the people of Belper; this would include stories about the life changing education given through bursaries to those from the poorer and farming backgrounds. Stories of those like Timothy Dalton and Richard Stilgo who are now famous and people like Avis and Mary who were born, lived and died in Belper. (This is clearly subject to agreement from the individuals involved or their families.) The exhibition would be open to the public who would be asked to make a donation to the upkeep of the site. All exhibition materials would be such that this area can be quickly cleared for other uses as necessary.

As the main hall is in the area of the building to be used commercially, its use will have to be managed in such a way as to not disrupt the commercial tenants. This will propably mean it‘s use during the working day will be dominated by the Exhibition and commercial usage. However, in the evenings and at weekends it will be available for community purposes and will be particularly suitable for performances. Commercial tenants of the building will be entitled to access through this area at all times as long as the current use is respected.

Adjoining the main hall are three smaller rooms (8-9). One of these might be used as the site office, another could be used as storage for the exhibition area and the third, the Headmasters Office (9), would make a wonderful location for a small AV (Audio Visual) area associated with the exhibition. For security reasons the office and the AV room should be adjoining so that the AV equipment can be located in the office.

Access to the Main Hall and Commercial Areas

Access to the building will be via the current rear central door (11), added when the building, was remodelled as a Junior School. This area would be very useful as a reception, day office and coffee area and especially as it is envisioned as being the main entrance to the commercial area. Securing this area and the main hall would secure the whole of the commercial area and as such would need to be executed professionally. Access to the first floor (rooms 19 to 25) will probably be restricted, at all times, to those renting rooms in this area.

The Sports Hall

This hall (17), downstairs in the picture to the left, could be available for a wide variety of uses; everything from weddings to theatre productions, yoga classes to concerts. The kitchen (18) and associated stores may be converted into an anteroom with a small kitchen and bar facility and ladies and gentlemens cloak rooms. This area would then become a self contained suite with all the necessary facilities to support these types of events.

The Herbert Strutt Library

The school library (26) which is above the sports hall and can be seen upstairs in the picture to the left, is an ideal location for small exhibitions, meetings, poetry groups and quiet reading. To return this room to its former glory it is hoped to stock it with books, many of which if possible should be of the type that originally filled the shelves. The location of the original collection of library books is currently unknown but the return of some of these would be a significant boost to the site&lsqu;s aspirations. We would have liked to have seen Belper Library on the site but this has been ruled out by the County Council who consider both the site and the existing library to be too far from the town centre.

Art Room

The room (27) behind the library, which is currently used as a store, could be converted to allow use by groups such as Art Groups who may need water and require melamine topped tables, etc.

The South Wing

This area (rooms 17, 18, 26 & 27) of the building includes the sports hall, the library and the associated rooms. As well as being secured at a room level this area could be secured separately from the rest of the building.

Entrance to this part of the building is envisioned as normally being from the car park via the vestibule on the rear right hand end of the building. However, an alternative entrance is possible on the right hand end of the building at the bottom of the stairs up to the library. This entrance would come from the area of the existing car park to the south of the building.

The letting management of the South Wing will take into consideration the individual users and ensure that, for example, a poetry group is not disrupted by a loud band beneath.

The Garden Room

This was at one time the Woodwork Room (31), is shown to the right, and is currently in the middle of the playground. Most of the playground area will probably be converted into a landscaped car park. However, the area around the garden room could be cultivated and converted into a calming relaxing garden with screening to separate it from the car park. This room would be ideal for small exhibitions, meetings, toddler groups and youth club type activities. However, it will require strict security and management to ensure it does not become misused, the large areas of glass are of particular concern.

Entrance to this room could be from a paved area that faces directly onto the car park.

The Music Room

The music practice room (1) is situated at the north end of the building on the ground floor. Currently this room is used by Derwent Brass but could be opened up for use by others, including small performances, subject to the provision of secure storage as necessary. Further improvements in the acoustic properties and sound proofing would be of benefit to users of this area. This room is currently secured separately from the rest of the building and this arrangement would be maintained.

Property Conversion

All conversion work in the property will be performed to maintain its current status and style regardless of other restrictions. The original finishes of stone, brick and tile will be exposed and restored as practically as possible. However, in some areas this will not be practical or desirable because of the condition of the building or the intended use of the room. In these areas conversion will be performed in a way that is sympathetic to the appearance and ethos of the site and subject to the regulations of its Grade II Listed Building status.

The picture to the left shows one of the classrooms (13 I think) in its current state.

The design of the conversion will be such as to ensure modern communications and facilities can be accommodated, including networking, telephone, video and audio systems.

Commercial Usage

The other rooms, mainly currently used as classrooms, will probably be restored and converted to provide high class office accommodation. Expressions of interest have already been received from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and these are just the sort of users we would like to welcome into the building.

The commercial community balance

The exact split between commercial and community usage will always be under review, being influenced by available funding, demand for use and the existing users. However, the prime driving force should always be to keep the building in good condition and available for future community use by the residents of Belper. Clearly it would be preferable for commercial lettings to be accommodated in the upstairs rooms wherever possible as this makes segregation between the two areas easier and means that disable access for community purposes will be much easier.

Car Parking

The existing play ground to the rear of the building may be converted into a landscaped car park with spaces for approximately 100 cars (This is subject to confirmation). Access to the car park would best be from the A6 through the area which is currently used as car parking for the school. Subject to agreement the car park exit might be via the gated lane between the old swimming pool, now the ??? nursery and the existing playground, thus not requiring any alterations to the perimeter walls.

This arrangement of access and egress would cause minimal disruption to the adjoining properties and local traffic flow.

The ‘Masters’ House

This stone built property sits in its own small garden at the rear of the school. This building could be converted to accommodate smaller community activities and meetings. However, in the short term it might be used as interim office and project accommodation. Rooms this size are ideal for gatherings of two to eight people; what would you use them for?

The Existing Car Park

As seen from the front of the school the existing car park is situated to the right or southern end of the site. This currently has a rough surface with a grassed area and garden area behind. This part of the site can be seen in a number of ways dependent upon the financial status of the project and the local authorities.

The simplest and least desirable view is that this area is developed, possibly in partnership with a local developer, or sold off for development. As such it would provide a financial bursary to repair the buildings, raise the status of the site and provide some financial base for the project. Ten or more houses could be built on the site without removing the ability to gain access from the A6 to the rear of the school building. The plan shows this option but with only eight new houses and a block of land retained as garden to the south of the building.

However, should the financial status of the project be such that the sale of this part of the site is not necessary, it would allow future development of the site to provide other facilities, including sports, additional community rooms and/or further commercial office space as necessary. Until such a time as this area is utilised the garden will be cultivated and maintained.

The most exciting possibility will only happen if the County can be persuaded the library should come to the site. An extended community complex including the library would give the site even more of a future.

General rules and standards

As the site will be open to the public and used as a place of work, smoking will be banned. All site users will be expected to treat each other with respect and consideration. Loud noises except where agreed will not be tolerated.