ONE of the county’s landmark Gothic buildings has a new future at the centre of a care complex.

Auctioneers Brightwells has confirmed the sale of the former Staunton-on-Wye primary school – which has planning permission for a conversion that creates 14 “close care” units.

As approved, the application includes a 70 bed nursing home in the site’s grounds.

Dominating its surrounds, the school was built in 1859 for the Jarvis Foundation as a boarding establishment for boys and girls from the parishes of Staunton on Wye, Bredwardine and Letton.

Though recognised as a “ very fine” example of Gothic architecture, the building was soon accepted as out of proportion for the number of students.

Even the then Bishop of Hereford described the building as a “complete white elephant”.

In due course the boarding school did fail and over the intervening years the site has had a variety of uses, including, latterly, the Staunton on Wye primary and pre-school, as well as an artist’s studio.

As time went on, its upkeep became far too costly and, following the construction of a new village school, this building was offered for sale – initially in the hope that the buildings and grounds could provide housing for families who could use the new school.

When this option was ruled out as not feasible – given the difficulties inherent in conversion – a buyer was found by selling agents Brightwells, and, after a lengthy planning process, permission was given for the care complex conversion.

Jonathan Bliss, of Brightwells, said that after the “ lengthy process” of securing a suitable buyer “ we are delighted that a building of such architectural importance will hopefully now have a settled future”.