Housing created at former Victorian school house

The building operated as a school for 80 years

Work to transform a former Victorian school house and cottage hospital into new homes is expected to be complete by this autumn, councillors have been told.

Gower School House in St Georges, Telford, built in 1873, is a Grade II-listed building being turned into 13 homes and a community space.

St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council was told the roof of the building has been completed.

Councillor Rob Cadman said the rain would "stay on the outside" after work on the ceiling and insulation was carried out.

He also said the bell tower had to come down because it was in bad condition, but a replica would be installed.

The building operated as a school for 80 years.

Historic England said the site was originally built as a hospital for factory workers at the Lilleshall Works iron smelters, a major local employer, before it was converted into a school in 1879.

The scheme includes three homes in the existing building and 10 homes behind it

A meeting of the authority heard the project had been delayed because of the age of the building and the "surprise discovery" of a Victorian water tank.

Telford & Wrekin Council and its housing company Nuplace are working on the project with the parish council.

It includes three two-bedroom homes in the existing building and 10 two-bedroom new-build homes behind it.

Councillor Stephen Handley said that he had his "fingers crossed" for completion in September 2025, adding: "Before long, people will be in there, calling these houses home."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.