Roof repairs to take place at former Lilley and Stone School, Newark, as debris is shifted by development partner Bildurn

Repair works are to take place on the roof of a listed school building that has fallen into disrepair and heavily vandalised.

Long-awaited roof repairs will take place later this month at the former Lilley and Stone School on London Road, Newark.

The work will help to protect the listed buildings on site from further water damage.

Nottingham-based developer Bildurn, recently announced as the development partner for the site, will be carrying out the repair works.

This is due to start towards the end of July and is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete.

Since being brought onboard last month, Bildurn has been working to secure the site, providing onsite security staff, dog patrols, CCTV monitoring, and perimeter boarding.

After consulting with emergency services, they have worked to clear the site of debris in order to reduce the risk of fire and further damage.

Sean Akins, managing director at Bildurn, said: “Bildurn has been working proactively over recent weeks to respond to concerns about anti-social behaviour and damage at the Lilley and Stone site by clearing waste from the site and bolstering security.

“Now that the site has been tidied and secured, our focus turns to protecting the listed buildings from further water damage.”

Bildurn recently launched a monthly e-newsletter to update the community on the proposals and the work that is taking place on the site. Anyone interested in keeping up to date wit developments at the Lilley and Stone School site is invited to visit the site’s website, www.lilleyandstone-redevelopment.co.uk, where they can sign up to receive updates.

The Lilley and Stone was described as Newark’s most dangerous playground. Out of sight, the once proud educational establishment was being torn apart by thieves and vandals while trustees were accused of inaction.

One of the buildings was recently set alight.

A development of housing is proposed for areas of the school land that will pay for the repair and refurbishment of the listed main school building. However, campaigners have rallied against the proposals, believing alternatives should be explored that include saving the land as a wildlife corridor. The counter argument is that one is needed to make the other financially viable.