Survey Data
Reg No
32012035
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Architectural, Social
Previous Name
Saint Laurence's Industrial School
Original Use
School
In Use As
Community centre
Date
1800 - 1860
Coordinates
169428, 335722
Date Recorded
23/08/2004
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Attached corner-sited multi-bay two- and three-storey stone school building, built c. 1830, now in use as community centre. 'L'-plan. Five-bay east elevation, two-bay north elevation to main block. Two-bay three-storey link building to west of main block adjoining building to west. Two-bay two-storey extension to south of main block c. 2000. Hipped artificial slate roofs, clay ridge tiles, moulded cast-iron gutters on painted timber fascia on eaves corbel course. Random rubble limestone walling, full-height blind arcading forming segmental-headed recessed panels to all elevations, limestone plaque located on pier between first floor windows contains National School inscription. Square-headed window openings to ground floor, segmental-headed to first floor, block-and-start red brick surrounds, limestone sills, multi-pane hardwood casements c. 2000. Former elliptical-headed door opening to ground floor north elevation link building, now window but retaining sunburst fanlight. Square-headed door opening to ground floor north elevation link building, red brick surround, hardwood double doors each with three panels c. 2000. Corner sited, set back from road on restricted site, smooth-rendered high masonry boundary wall to north, lower roughcast wall to splayed north-east corner and east boundary, entrance from Chapel Street.
Appraisal
This imposing building bears evidence of thoughtful design in the modulation of its facades through the use of blind arcading and variation in window heads. Rubble masonry competes with brick for dominance. It forms an interesting composition with the adjoining building to its west. As a former school and now in use as a community centre it is of significant social value.