Yahoo News Former County Durham Victorian school undergoes six-figure transformation into new homes
A former Victorian school in County Durham is being turned into family homes following a six-figure investment.
Croft School was bought from Durham County Council by Langley Lodge Developments, triggering a transformation programme to create four homes, with four and five bedrooms. Langley Lodge Developments secured the investment from the North East Property Fund, which is managed by FW Capital and backed by the North East Combined Authority, to drive forward the project, which is now called Oakwood Court.
The project marks the latest for the Durham development company, led by Mick Brett and Peter Lee, which specialises in conservation and restoration projects. The company converted the Grade II listed Esh Winning Miners Memorial Hall into supported living units in a scheme which earned it a number of accolades, including an Architectural Award from the City of Durham Trust in 2013.
Mr Lee said: “The transformation of this historic school into modern family homes is a bespoke endeavour. We’re preserving the building’s original charm and features, such as stone fireplaces and beams, while introducing contemporary elements like open-plan vaulted ceilings. This unique development revitalises the area.”
Mr Brett added: “Bringing this project to fruition has been immensely rewarding. We’ve benefited from the unwavering support of FW Capital, whose shared dedication to the project has been invaluable. The conversion work, executed to the highest standards by local tradesmen, underscores our commitment to delivering excellence. We’re excited to introduce this distinctive development to the community, which has already sparked significant interest.”
The properties are being marketed by Bradley Hall in Durham.
Tony Cullen, fund manager at FW Capital, said: “Mick and Peter have many years’ experience in completing residential and commercial schemes across the North East, earning a reputation for their high standards. We’re seeing increased demand for smaller property development financing like Oakwood Court and this is what the North East Property Fund was created to help.”
Coun James Rowlandson, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “We are pleased to see this site coming back into use thanks to funding from the North East Combined Authority’s North East Property Fund. We look forward to the new use benefitting both the local community and those who will live in the new properties.”
The property fund recently reached the investment milestone of £50m, providing funding to help the development of small-scale property schemes throughout the region. It offers loans from £250,000 up to £2m for residential and non-speculative commercial developments in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and County Durham.
