AN arson-hit former Dudley school is coming up at auction for £700k later this month with pictures showing the extent of the damage.

The former Sir Gilbert Claughton School in Blowers Green Road has planning permission to be converted into 30 apartments.

It will come up at an online SDL Property auction on Thursday May 27.

It sold for £405k at an auction in May 2019 – more than double the original asking price of £200k - now its price tag has gone up after Dudley Council planners granted an application from Abbey Architecture to convert the building into 19 two-bedroom apartments, seven one bedroom apartments and four studio flats.

Pic: SDL Auctions

Pic: SDL Auctions

The building was ravaged in an arson attack last July.

Sales notes state: "The Claughton Centre is a three-storey former secondary school built circa 1900 extending approximately 39,000 square feet with an extension build in the 1950s.

"More recently the building has been used by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council."

They state that it's a "prime development site benefitting from planning consent for 30 units comprising 19 two bedroomed apartments, 7 one bedroom apartments and 4 studio apartments.

"The building also has space at the rear we feel for another 6 units (subject to obtaining appropriate planning) with car parking for circa 100 vehicles.

"Interested parties are advised to inspect the legal pack and Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Planning portal APPLICATION NUMBER: P20/0447 Granted April 2021."

Pic: SDL Auctions

Pic: SDL Auctions

It also states: "The site sits along Blowers Green Road, Dudley close to the junction with the High Street.

"Dudley Town centre is a few minutes’ walk and has seen and is undergoing a major regeneration project.

"This includes transport links into Birmingham City Centre and the HS2 Network.

"The demand for housing within the area is substantial."

Pic: SDL Auctions

Pic: SDL Auctions

The building dates back more than a century and it first opened up as the Dudley Upper Standards School for children aged 12-18 in 1904.

It became the Sir Gilbert Claughton Grammar Technical School in 1957 – named after the Worcestershire-born 19th century businessman and politician.

It operated until 1990 when the school closed and the building was later used as offices by the local authority as the Claughton Centre.

The auction starts at 10am.

The planning application which has been approved.

The planning application which has been approved.