Plans to demolish the unsafe former buildings at St Peter’s CofE Junior School in Ruddington have moved a step closer with the submission of an application now listed with Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The application, reference 26/01533/CTY, marks the next stage in the long-term plan to replace the old school after structural defects forced its closure in December 2025.
Pupils and staff have since returned to the Ashworth Avenue site, where a £6.5 million temporary learning village opened for the summer term, bringing the school’s 350 pupils back together after months in alternative accommodation.
A supporting letter from Chave Planning, dated 1 September and stamped as received by Nottinghamshire County Council on 3 September, sets out the case for demolishing the original 1950s buildings.
The submission asks for a determination on whether prior approval is required for the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site. The planning agent argues that the demolition qualifies as permitted development.
The letter says the buildings have remained unoccupied since December following the discovery of structural decay during routine maintenance.
Scheduled repairs to windows and fascias uncovered defective timber columns, beams and other key building elements, prompting further investigation.
Temporary supports were installed where defective columns were found. These had to be boxed in to make the areas safe, reducing usable floor space, daylight and ventilation.
According to the letter, the resulting effect on teaching space and school operations meant continued occupation was no longer suitable.
It states: “The structural issues identified within the building columns and sole plates would require extensive intervention to address. Given the concealed nature of the structural system, the age of the buildings, and the level of disruption, retention is not considered to be a practical or viable long-term solution.”
The agent says the maintenance work revealed the defects rather than caused them, and argues that the building’s condition did not result from neglect.
A Level 2 Historic Building Survey accompanies the application to provide a record of the building for heritage purposes.
The letter also says bat surveys were under way and expected to be finalised during September, with a report to follow during the application process.
At the time of writing, the demolition contract was expected to be awarded within the following fortnight. The agent said a demolition method statement, asbestos management plan and construction traffic management plan could then be supplied if required.
No demolition start date is given in the letter.
The Wire first reported the school’s sudden closure in December 2025, when families were told that significant structural problems had been discovered. The county council subsequently confirmed that the main building would close permanently, with demolition and rebuilding its long-term plan.
The temporary learning village was built alongside the original school and includes four buildings. On Thursday 10 September, Nottingham-born actor Vicky McClure visited to officially open the building named in her honour. The others are named after Viv Anderson, Mary Earps and Ada Lovelace.
The latest submission concerns demolition of the old buildings; it does not set out a timetable for completion of a permanent replacement school.
