PlymouthLive readers have been told that historic Pounds House in Central Park could be converted into a special educational needs and disabilities school.
Phoenix Bay School, an independent school based in Newton Abbot, has submitted a full planning application to transform the Grade II listed building from offices into a non residential SEND school.
The building was sold by Plymouth City Council at auction last year for at least £500,000, after the authority spent nearly £500,000 since 2020 exploring future uses without success. The sale also included surrounding land.
Planning documents submitted by RTI Chartered Town Planners set out proposals to use all three floors for classrooms, specialist learning spaces, therapy rooms, offices and support facilities, with no major alterations planned to the listed structure.
The scheme claims to bring the long vacant building back into use, support growing demand for SEND places, and create around 25 to 30 local jobs. The application is open for public comment until May 20.
Pounds House dates back to around 1825 and has previously been used as an air raid precautions centre and civil defence training site. The sale last year prompted mixed reaction locally, with concerns over loss of parkland and suggestions it could have become a wedding venue.
Commenter Becky S says: “A historic building being brought back to life and used to support young people who need it most should be seen as something positive for the city.”
Katherine T agrees: “We desperately need more special schools, so cautiously optimistic on this one. It would need some traffic management as a lot of kids with additional needs often arrive on specialist transport. But definitely better than letting it rot!”
Debbie R adds: “Definitely what Plymouth needs. SEND provision is desperately needed here. Good luck to everyone involved.”
Plaintosee is not so sure: “This sounds like a very expensive way to school SEND children when many schools in and around Plymouth are having to use portable classrooms for many of the children they teach??!! Whilst I am all for a school for children that really need this facility, I think there are many cheaper alternatives that should be looked at. This building would make a wonderful wedding venue, registry office and hotel accommodation, or restaurant with spectacular views and a beautiful outlook just wasted on a school building?”
Litlmisperfect retorts: “Yes; why waste money educating children who have extra needs when we can, instead, look at pretty things!”
13htg asks: “Please also take into account the proximity to a busy main road, where vulnerable young people could potentially access traffic without supervision. Access and parking on this site has been an ongoing issue for decades, so it would be worth considering multiple drop off and pick up points, as well as proper parking provision for staff and school transport vehicles, including vans.”
“I’m also surprised that a lift doesn’t appear to be included in the plans, as not everyone is able to manage stairs. That said, I do hope that whatever the building is ultimately used for, it proves to be a success and that the investment helps preserve and make good use of a historic building and its surrounding land.”
Mark F replies: “It’s currently an office building so the right for vehicles already is in place – it also has its own car park far bigger than the doctors surgery that uses the same junction.”
Fudge13 writes: “The use of the building as a SEND facility sounds like a good idea. Adding in a bit of residential accommodation would help with the housing shortage in the City and provide a bit of night-time and weekend security to an isolated site.”
Marky270 wonders: “If it becomes a school, does this mean that the boundary will be fenced off and the grounds no longer available for the public? What about the parking area within, does this mean it will be occupied with cars and for visitors to Pounds park will no longer be able to access this area?”
Stillnotwoke replies: “There is a public car park at Central Park and the streets in and around the edges of the park along Peverell Park are free. The building was sold at auction and the new owners have restored the site and gardens and it looks stunning. Go have a look.”
Do you think this is the best possible use for Pounds House, or should it have been kept for something else like community or event use? Have your say in our comments section.
