Historic Old School House set on fire "on purpose"

Fire fighters were called at around 7.30pm on Wednesday evening to tackle a blaze in the derelict Old School House in Lea Gate, Bradshaw.

The fire is believed to have been set on purpose, with youths being seen in the area just before Bolton North fire crew was called.

The blaze was tackled over the course of two hours by four fire engines. Fire crews remained at the scene until around 9.30pm.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "Somebody's been messing around there.

"Youths had been seen in the area then lots of smoke started coming out of the building.

"It's a old, boarded up, derelict building.

"We forced entry to extinguish the fire and search the building. The materials, like paper, might have been pushed through a window.

"It was definitely done on purpose."

Bolton North fire crew put out a warning against vandalism and arson.

The spokesman said: "Things like this really stretch resources. It takes us away from people who need us."

The building is owned by Panda Capital Partners Ltd, which just announced plans to give the building a new lease of life as a set of apartments.

The Panda Capital plans include mix of one to three bedroom apartments on the site, complementing the existing structure with a modern extension.

The late 19th century building was built as the original St Maxentius School, before becoming an aquarium and then a restaurant over the years.

The ground floor was last used as the Old School House pub.

Since then, the site has been derelict for over a decade, becoming an eyesore and target for flytippers and anti-social behaviour.

The Panda Capital plans, announced in April, are just the latest in a string of regeneration plans for the building.

A range of different developments were mooted in 2007, 2012, 2015, 2016 and in 2017.

This latest plan is similar to Panda Capital's 2016 plan.

A statement with Panda Capital's application says: "The scheme improves upon the principles of the approved scheme."

None of the suggested plans have come to fruition as of yet, but when redevelopment of the site was raised in 2017, the idea was met with praise by locals.

At the time, Bradshaw councillor Mudasir Dean called the building an "iconic" place in the heart of the community.

He said: “The building has been derelict for a long time and this has been a long-standing issue for myself and the other councillors.

“I am glad that something is happening there because it really does need to be brought back to life again.

"I am looking forward to seeing the development start.

“It is an iconic building in the centre of the community as you enter Harwood.

“To see it in the state it has been in over the past few years has been very sad.”

Panda Capital has been approached for comment.