Bristol City Council, we urge you to stop the plans to demolish the Victorian Board School in Avonvale Road (St George).

Your planning application, submitted together with the new academy Redfield Educate Together and Skanska, requires the complete replacement of the old Victorian buildings with a purpose built new school. This is because the existing building has been declared as not fit for purpose by your Children and Young People Service.

- The school was designed in 1898 by the acclaimed local architect Herbert J Jones and it is a candidate for local listing. It is a local landmark in an area with a strong character (St George) and the building, in excellent condition, was used until recently.

- We believe, as recommended by English Heritage advice on reusing Victorian schools, that the building should be saved and adapted for the new school. If not large enough, other school buildings are available, such as the other school in Avonvale Road in Barton Hill.

- The replacement defeats your draft policy DM26: “Development should contribute positively to an area’s character and identity, creating or reinforcing local distinctiveness.”

- The advice from English Heritage is strong: “Where re-use for educational purposes has been ruled out, every effort should be made to find a new use. The aim should be to obtain the best return for the taxpayer consistent with government policies for protecting the historic environment.” 

We acknowledge the urgent and strong need for a new school in the area and we very much support the reuse of this building and the search for more suitable sites, and for a school which is truly inspiring for the future generations of Bristolians.

We believe you should reconsider your plan, looking for the advice of English Heritage’s experts independent from the proposal of a single developer.