SDO11611 - The Old School House, Blandford St Mary, Dorset; Historic Building Impact Assessment

AOC Archaeology Group conducted an historic building impact assessment on the Old School House, Blandford St Mary during 2001. The report was designed to inform a decision on whether planning and conservation are consent should be granted for its demolition. The school was constructed in 1846, the same year that the old road to Blandford St Mary was diverted along the current route of Bournemouth Road. The school was owned and funded by the Down estate for the use of children in the parish. In 1846-7 69 children attended the school. The school was significantly extended in 1960 in response to the residential developents on the south side of Bournemouth Road. The school is poorly documented and was not considered to be of regional significance. It was also considered that the building did not make a positive contribution to to the character and apperance of the conservation area because of the poor quality of the 1960's extensions and the hidden position of t5he building behind the street frontage.