School has hopes for court building (From Tewkesbury Admag)

School has hopes for court building

THE future of Tewkesbury's former magistrates' court will be decided by the end of the month.

The red brick building in Gander Lane has not been used as a court house for some years now, and the county council is offering it for sale by tender.

The council has planning permission for the building to be converted into six flats.

At the same time, Abbey School, which is keen to take on the property, has permission to return it to school use. It was part of Tewkesbury Girls' High School until the early 70s.

If the school's bid is successful the building will be used as a music academy and as a venue for concerts.

To fund the project, three houses in Church Street, owned by the school and used as accommodation for staff and pupils, have been put up for sale and planning permission to convert them back into private homes applied for.

Head teacher Neil Gardener said: "We do not need all the property we own in Church Street,

By selling it we not only help finance the purchase of the magistrates' court but also return some property to the housing market. Of course it all depends on what happens at the end of the month."

Chris Barney, senior development manager with Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The property is for sale by informal tender.

"We will be opening all the tenders we have received on August 26 and seeing what offers have been submitted."