On board for Hall changes

At a meeting of the council's planning committee on Monday, members agreed to the application for refurbishment and alterations at the Kidderminster Road building.

Bromsgrove School, based in Worcester Road, plans to change the use of the building from a hotel to pupil boarding and staff accommodation.

The planning permission comes on the back of news that the deal for the property, said to be around £3million, has now been completed.

Plans include a second ceiling on the first floor, insulating the walls, replacing timber floors with chipboard, and new joinery. The works also include new ventilation and heating at the site.

At the meeting Cllr Dennis Norton (Con-St Johns) said: "It is a pleasure to support the application. It is an attractive building but Bromsgrove School is very caring and will look after it. This can be seen with other buildings in their care."

He also said that the school is the biggest employer in Bromsgrove.

Cllr Janice Boswell (Con-Furlongs) added: "This will be an asset in years to come."

Headteacher of Bromsgrove School Chris Edwards said: "Bromsgrove School is coming home and we are delighted to reacquaint ourselves with a facility that will greatly enhance our provision."

l MOTORISTS could benefit from the £3m sale of the Perry Hall hotel to Bromsgrove School when it is completed on August 8.

It is rumoured this week that the 120-space car park attached to the hotel in Kidderminster Road will not be required by the school and may be taken over by Bromsgrove District Council.

If true it would ease the often acute shortage of parking spaces at busy periods in the town centre.

It is proposed to use the hotel as a boarding house for up to 60 pupils.

However, on making inquiries to the Council House, a spokeswoman suggested taking the matter up with the school.

But a spokeswoman for the Worcester Road school said: "No thought has been given to the use of the car park."