The disused former High Well School building on the edge of South Hiendley is being put up for auction with a guide price of around £100,000. The property, also previously known as Felkirk School, has stood vacant since pupils were moved in August 2015.
Site described as a development opportunity
The site, which includes the school building and the surrounding land, is being marketed by BTG Eddisons Property Auctions and is due to go under the hammer on 26 August. The auctioneer’s publicity highlights the location’s transport links and its potential for housing development.
"Situated on the edge of the village of Felkirk, the site enjoys an attractive semi-rural setting while remaining conveniently connected to nearby settlements. The combination of its substantial size, established access, predominantly level topography and evident redevelopment potential makes this an excellent opportunity for developers, investors and promoters seeking a strategic landholding with medium to long-term planning prospects."
The description positions the former school as appealing to developers and investors who can explore medium- to long-term planning options. It does not identify any planning consents or provide details on constraints such as listed status or statutory protections.
Local context: council finances and surplus property
The sale comes as Wakefield Council looks to reduce its estate and raise revenue. In March, the authority’s audit committee was told it expects to receive around £20 million from sales of public land and property during the current financial year as part of efforts to downsize its portfolio in response to financial pressures.
That broader programme means several council-owned assets have been marketed in recent months. The High Well/Felkirk School site is among properties now being offered to private buyers rather than retained for public use.
What the site offers
- Former school building and associated grounds located at South Hiendley / Felkirk edge.
- Guide price: circa £100,000.
- Auction date: 26 August (marketed by BTG Eddisons).
- Vacant since: August 2015, following the relocation of special educational needs pupils to Pontefract.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Former High Well / Felkirk School and surrounding land |
| Guide price | Circa £100,000 |
| Auction date | 26 August |
| Vacant since | August 2015 |
| Wakefield Council expected receipts | Around £20m from land/property sales in the current year |
For residents close to South Hiendley and Felkirk, the outcome of the auction could have practical impacts: potential redevelopment might change local housing supply, traffic patterns and community character. Conversely, buyers face the realities of converting an older school building and securing planning permission for any new uses.
When pupils left the site more than a decade ago, specialist provision was transferred to Rookhill Road in Pontefract. Since then the building has not been occupied and the council appears to have decided that disposing of the asset is preferable to maintaining it.
Interested bidders and local people should look for the auctioneer’s full pack for details on planning history, rights of way, utilities and any restrictions. The council and the auction house are the proper sources for legal and technical queries before purchase.
This sale is part of a larger push by the local authority to raise funds by shrinking its estate, a trend increasingly familiar across councils facing tight budgets. How the High Well site changes hands and what replaces the long-empty school will be followed closely by local residents and councillors alike.
