'Scandal' of dormant Angel Road Junior School in Norwich

Pupils were last taught in the Angel Road Junior School building in June 2021, when it was suddenly closed down after tiles fell from the ceiling.

But unless a new lease can be agreed for a neighbouring school, it may be another 11 years until anything can be done with the derelict site.

Since its closure three years ago, the site has been left empty, with delays in securing a future for it branded a "scandal" by opposition councillors who have called for greater action.

The site is currently leased by the Evolution Trust, which runs Angel Road Infant School, on the same street, and Angel Road Junior School, which has relocated to the infant school.

The derelict site is due to be returned to Norfolk County Council.

However, the government has told County Hall the return needs to be tied in with renewing the lease for the infant school site.

The current lease on Angel Road Infant School is due to expire in 2035 - meaning unless current renegotiations conclude the junior school site will remain in limbo.

But Labour councillors calling for the site to be turned into a new special school have said there is nothing stopping County Hall from starting preparations for a conversion.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, county councillor for the Sewell ward, said: "We have a lot of support for the Labour campaign to quickly turn it into a much-needed SEND school.

"The school stands empty and looking sad.

"For three years this much-loved school has been neglected and its potential wasted."

Steve Morphew, Labour group leader, said: "The delays are a scandal.  

"I can make an absolute pledge that if Labour is running the county council after the May 2025 elections, Angel Road Junior will be converted into a SEND school.

"If the Conservatives get behind that now, we could get those crucial places up and running much sooner."

Penny Carpenter, the Conservative council's cabinet member of children's services, said: "We are currently renegotiating the terms of the least with Evolution Trust, to ensure the building can be transferred as quickly as possible.

"We will then be able to fully consider options for the site, which will include exploring future use for education in the first instance."

THE ANGEL ROAD SAGA... SO FAR

In the immediate aftermath of the school's sudden closure, pupils were taught in spare classrooms at both Angel Road Infant School and nearby St Clement's Hill Primary.

Initially, the Evolution Trust had planned for this to be a short-term measure and had hoped to move youngsters back into the junior school site.

However, the trust eventually decided to instead carry out expansions to Angel Road Infant School in the same street to accommodate both schools.

The two schools have shared this site since September 2022, with the expansion currently provided by modular buildings.

However, there are long-term plans to build a permanent junior school building on the site.

Previously, the trust has indicated that the move will likely eventually lead to the two schools merging into a single, all-through primary school.

It has previously been agreed that the junior school building - which was built in the late 1800s - would be returned to Norfolk County Council as part of this process.

However, talks continue to rumble on over repairs which need to be carried out before the building can be handed back.

The saga has been brought up several times in debates at County Hall in recent months.