A DEVELOPER has snapped up a former school site in the heart of a Dorset village and is planning to convert it to homes.

Landmark Estates, a residential and commercial property developer covering London and the south coast, has purchased the former Puddletown First School building on Puddletown High Street.

The grade two listed Gothic-style building dates back 150 years and was the village school before it relocated to a new facility on the edge of the village.

Built in 1863 of local Purbeck stone, the school is a well-known local building, and Landmark Estates says it intend to renovate it to provide a collection of family homes as well as new build houses.

Each of the new properties proposed will have parking and outdoor space.

Managing director of Landmark Estates, James Bradley, said: “We are all excited to be applying our expertise on the conversion of grade two listed buildings.

"We intend to renovate Puddletown First School to create properties which are sensitive to the local vernacular, whilst also providing stylish family homes.

"Working with listed buildings always means that an enormous amount of care and attention is required during all phases of the project from conception to completion.

"That said we are all thoroughly looking forward to the challenge.”

The developer, which has its headquarters in Ringwood, has described the purchase of the school building as a "significant acquisition" for Landmark Estates and says Puddletown is a sought-after village due to its proximity to Dorchester and facilities such as Post Office, butcher, shops, doctor’s surgery and two schools.

Other projects Landmark Estates is currently working on include the regeneration of the Fordingbridge Hospital in Hampshire, which involves the conversion of the Victorian hospital into eleven apartments and four bungalows.

The developer has held discussions with Puddletown Parish Council to inform it of the initial plans for the site, which are yet to be formalised into a planning application.

The initial proposals will be considered at a meeting of the parish council on Tuesday, September 8.

Parish council chairman Stephen Baynard said he did not wish to comment before the proposals are considered by the council as a whole.

For more information about the Puddletown First School site contact Iain Coates at Landmark Estates on 07825 069 094 or email iain@landmarkestates.co.uk

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