The first of two re-submitted planning applications to build 46 homes on the grounds of Malsis School in Glusburn will be considered next week.

Outline plans to build five houses to the west of the school buildings will go before Craven District Council’s planning committee at 1.35pm Monday (April 7) in Belle Vue Square, Skipton.

Another plan for 41 homes at the eastern end of the school grounds was re-submitted in March and could be decided in May. Both sets of plans would be an ‘enabling development’, allowing the school to pay for ‘urgently needed’ repairs to listed buildings costing over £500,000.

In November, the planning committee refused both applications because members said the larger one would have an adverse impact on the heritage setting and the smaller one was unacceptable because of its isolated position.

Malsis School headmaster Marcus Peel said a survey of ‘urgently needed’ repair and maintenance works to the grade two listed Malsis Hall, lodge and other associated buildings would cost £514,040. The school has argued that the only way to fund the repairs would be the sale of land for development.

Mr Peel said approval of the plans is “absolutely crucial” to the survival of the school, but he added that it was “difficult to tell” if the school would need to close if the re-submitted applications were turned down.

Coun Philip Barrett (Ind) said: “I’m pleased that Malsis has re-submitted its planning applications which, if approved will secure the school’s future and provide the enabling funding to repair the impressive grade two listed building and lodge.

“The Malsis School Trust's agent has clearly been working hard to overcome the previous reasons for refusal by improving the indicative design of these outline applications and proposing additional landscaping to protect the environmental setting.”

The new plans, which are supported by English Heritage, call for the removal of a previously proposed mini-roundabout and changes to the site layout.