Most of former Southfield Primary site is to be sold
17/07/2025
The current plan is to retain the theatre building and car parking space
The majority of the former Southfield Primary School site in Brackley will be sold, with it expected to be used for housing.
However, the theatre building will be retained as a community hub ‘spoke’ and a long stay car park created with 45 spaces.
The decision to dispose of the remainder of the site was made by West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet during a lengthy meeting last night (Wednesday).
The new Reform UK administration had asked officers to identify council owned assets where disposals would be beneficial. The former Southfield School site was one such asset identified. Money from the sale of the assets will be allocated to purchases which will generate income for the council.
Southfield Primary School closed in July last year with the academy trust for the school citing a significant shortfall in pupils making it financially unviable.
Since then the council says it has explored options for an education use for the site and also for other West Northamptonshire Council services, but found none.
The Theatre building was identified as a potential site for a family hub ‘spoke’ which could also accommodate other community activities. This use would be subject to the outcomes of a consultation on family hub provision.
A report to councillors noted: “It seems likely there will be demand for a family hub serving the Brackley area, but if there is not, it would be relatively simple to dispose of the property either with the rest of the land or separately.”
Brackley Councillor Fiona Baker told the meeting the school, which had been there for generations, had been part of the DNA of Brackley. She said: “It’s vital that we preserve the theatre building to ensure residents have cultural and community services similar to those available in other towns.
“The space can provide a permanent home for a ‘spoke’ of the family hub service, the much-loved Youth club, a community larder, stem school for SEND students, along with other early health groups that currently lack a dedicated venue.”
The Southfield Primary School site covers an area of around 3 acres.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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