Plans submitted to restore historic school

Plans have been submitted for restoration works to a special educational school building in Hull.

According to a planning application for the Grade II listed Venn Boulevard Centre, the school had been affected by water ingress, condensation and mould.

"This was a serious health and safety concern, especially with young and vulnerable people regularly using the buildings," it said.

The application for listed building consent will be considered by Hull City Council.

The application said the condition of the brickwork and the extensive damage had affected the structural integrity of the walls and there was a smell of damp, indicating mould spores were present.

Internal water ingress occurs regularly as a result of timber decay and rot, and condensation was common due to the poor thermal performance of the windows.

This, the application said, had resulted in increased rates of timber decay and the formation of mould on internal surfaces.

Repairs include repointing all external walls with lime mortar, replacing any severely damaged bricks with like-for-like replacements and replacing the building's windows with similar looking, modern replacements.

The building, which was constructed in 1914, was originally used as a school for fishermen, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It is now part of the wider Venn Academy Trust, which has a number of schools across Yorkshire.

The trust said the proposed works would not adversely affect the "historic or architectural character" of the building, while the improvements made would "safeguard the building and special features for future generations."

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