A GRADE-II listed building in Slough that was purportedly built for the then sheriff of Buckinghamshire John Perryman is set to be converted into a primary school and nursery.

The Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation had its scheme to change Cippenham Lodge and Coach House in Cippenham Lane from market studio offices approved by the borough council.

The Foundation has an aim of ‘generating a 21st-century educational model that is true to the Qur’an’.

A ‘light-touch’ approach to the internal layout was proposed in order to minimise the impact of the heritage asset. No external works to the lodge itself have been proposed.

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The works include the removal of an ‘awkward’ flight of steps, removing and re-instating the modern partition walls along more traditional lines, re-order the front rooms, and installing railings and a playground.

The site will accommodate 135 pupils and 14 staff across the school and nursery buildings. A total of 14 car parking spaces are proposed for the staff and all pupil pick up/drop off activity will be undertaken at the nearby Weekes Drive Community Centre.

Cippenham Lodge was purportedly built in 1709 for John Perryman, then sheriff of Buckinghamshire. According to the planning statement, Perryman’s initials, along with the date that either the house was built or when he became sheriff, are detailed on the brick wall directly to the west of the lodge.

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The plans were given the go-ahead after the Foundation demonstrated that the internal works would not demonstrably impact the heritage asset, adding they will ensure the listed building is occupied and well maintained for the foreseeable future.