Dyson prep school plan approved - despite objections

Sir James Dyson has donated almost £54m to Gresham's in recent years

Councillors have approved a multi-million pound plan backed by the billionaire Sir James Dyson to expand his former boarding school, despite objections from heritage groups.

Last year Sir James pledged £35m for Gresham’s to buy and redevelop Holt Hall, which was sold off by Norfolk County Council.

Historic England and The Victorian Society both said they were against the plan, which would see parts of the hall demolished and rebuilt.

Members of North Norfolk District Council’s development committee voted in favour of the proposal, after a report advised them that the "public benefits…outweigh the harm to heritage".

An artist's impression shows the proposed new wing for the historic Holt Hall

Under the plan, the Grade II listed Holt Hall will be transformed into a facility for Gresham’s, which has annual fees of £31,740 for boarding pupils.

A wing of the building, which includes its kitchen and stables, will be demolished and rebuilt.

Other facilities, including a new music hall, sports pavilion and outdoor study centre, will be added to the site.

Gresham’s has been supported by Sir James for some time – the inventor went to the school, where his father was a teacher.

When his father died, aged 43, the then headmaster provided Sir James and his brother with bursaries, so they could continue their studies for free.

Historic England objected to the plan, arguing that demolishing Holt Hall’s northern wing would "result in the loss of historic fabric" whilst the proposed extension "is wholly at odds with the local vernacular character of the Holt estate".

The Victorian Society said that, whilst it understood "the need to find a sustainable use for the building", it had similar objections.

Following an £18.75m donation by Sir James, Gresham's STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) building opened in 2021

North Norfolk District Council’s conservation and design department also said that it felt there was "a level of heritage harm" in the proposals.

Meanwhile, the authority’s landscaping department took issue with one of the species of tree which could be planted on the site.

It warned the Callery pear tree and its fruit "can remind some people of rotting fish" or "vomit" and was not the best choice "in areas where children can be expected to be enjoying their food".

A report by planning officers said the plans "involve significant change at the site" and they conceded that changes to Holt Hall would cause harm to the heritage of the building.

But they said that the facilities were "needed to transform the site into a fully functioning and effective prep school" and recommended that the changes were approved.

The council’s development committee voted unanimously in favour of the plans on Thursday.