ICOMOS-UK Member and Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site Co-ordinator, has recently been very successful with the outcome of an appeal against the redevelopment of an early 19th century school in Belper into 15 dwellings.

The proposal to redevelop the former private school was been rejected after an inspector, Olivia Spencer, found that it makes an important contribution to the area, and therefore formed in key part of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage site.

The building dates from 1830 and it had subsequently been adapted for manufacturing and retail. Even though the building was not listed, the inspector agreed that it formed part of a group that witnessed incredible changes and innovation in manufacturing and also to economic and social changes during industrialisation which shaped the town in the 19th century.

In her view, it made a positive and important contribution to the town’s history, the distinctive character and appearance of a conservation area, the setting and the defining character of a World Heritage site.

Read full report on the decision