Vision & Objectives

When it became known that the Junior School was to close and re-locate, although the people of Saltburn were pleased by the provision of a new school many expressed concern that the old Junior School’s buildings and site should not be lost to the town and the wider area. It was also felt that in the hands of the right organisation the building and site could become effective community assets.

Objectives

SCAA has engaged in public discussions with members and officers of RCBC on the suitable uses of the building and the site and the following points have emerged from these discussions:

  1. The main school building must be retained as an iconic feature and key component of the identity of Saltburn.
  2. The potential availability of the site and buildings provides a unique opportunity to build on the local enterprise connected with the creative arts.
  3. The potential CAT offers the opportunity to enhance significantly the local tourism appeal of the town through the provision of hostel and camping facilities, which are currently unavailable.
  4. The potential CAT offers the possibility of creating new opportunities for play, recreation and outdoor performances, as well as protecting existing usage of the site.

SCAA has taken these four conclusions as the guiding principles for our ‘Big Idea’ for the buildings and the site.

Our Vision

In line with these four principles SCAA has determined the following actions should be undertaken:

  • Retain and conserve the key features and special identity of the main building through sensitive conversion for community use.
  • Provide studio and work space for local artists and craft workers to meet expressed local demand.
  • Provide facilities currently unavailable for additional art related activities such as: printing presses, a dark room and a digital media studio, to help facilitate growth of local small-scale arts based businesses.
  • Provide gallery, exhibition and display space to allow for larger scale displays than can currently be staged in Saltburn, as well as making provision for an area to exhibit sculptures.
  • Establish a locally accessible archive, with the intention of moving towards museum status.
  • Establish a high quality café, with an emphasis on social ethics and use of locally sourced and grown produce.
  • Create both indoor and outdoor performance space with flexibility to move between the two.
  • Create opportunities for sport and recreation, such as: a skate park and junior football.
  • Work with partners to establish hostel and camping accommodation on the site.

Continue to Robustness of Business Plan