Housing and community hub plans being drawn up for former Manners Sutton Primary School at Averham by Nottinghamshire County Council

Proposals have been made which could breathe new life into a former village school site near Newark.

Later this year Nottinghamshire County Council will be asked to whether or not to develop council-owned land at the former Manners Sutton Primary School at Averham, which has been vacant since the school closed in 2021.

Draft plans have now bee set out for the 1.2 acre site to bring the land back into use by demolishing the former school buildings and marketing part of the site for residential development — while a portion of it will be retained for community use.

The council has instructed Arc Partnership, which is a joint venture between the county council and public sector procurement specialist SCAPE, to draft a masterplan of the site while work continues to move the scheme forward.

The ASK Hive group, which covers Averham and neighbouring Staythorpe and Kelham, is expected to acquire part of the land — once surveys and the masterplan have been concluded — to seek planning permission to build a new community hub.

Council leader, Sam Smith, said it was important that the small community had space to meet and host events and added that he was looking forward to working with ASK Hive to bring the proposals to fruition.

“The proposals are at a very early stage, but we have been in discussions with ASK Hive about utilising an area of the site for the benefit of Averham and its neighbouring rural communities,” he said.

“I am delighted that we are at a stage where a masterplan will be drafted ahead of any planning applications for the site.

“I’m sure this news will be welcomed by the community who, for so long, have had nowhere to meet or stage village events.

“As a council, we are also bound by law to get best value for money for the land — so that’s why we have earmarked part of it for residential development to meet those criteria.”

Sue Saddington, who represents Averham within the Farndon and Trent division, has been working with the community to move the proposed project forward.

She said: “Averham and the surrounding rural communities haven’t had anywhere where they can meet or stage events.

“When it was King Charles’ coronation, they struggled to find a place to mark the historic occasion and they experienced similar issues for other landmark occasions such as VE Day and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“In fact, when they wanted to plant a tree for the coronation, they had to use the land at Staythorpe Power Station while this site has stood empty.

“I believe it makes perfect sense for ASK Hive to have part of this site for community use and that is why I got the ball rolling by asking Cllr Smith to see if it could be done.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to reach this stage, and I’d like to thank councillor Smith for his support.”

Keith Girling, cabinet member for economic development and asset management, said the plans highlighted the county council’s commitment to supporting grassroots communities in Nottinghamshire.

“Here at Nottinghamshire County Council we are committed to helping to improve the lives of residents, whether that’s by investing millions of pounds in new schools and libraries or by making the best use of county council assets for the benefit of communities,” he said.

“A lot of work has already gone into this project, and I look forward to working with our partners to help achieve the best possible outcome for all parties.”

Secretary of ASK Hive, Bob McGhee, said his group’s vision was to create a facility ‘fit for purpose’ to be enjoyed by future generations.