VIDEO footage reveals how a derelict former school site in Dudley has been completely trashed by vandals as it awaits redevelopment.
Film-maker Ian Macey's YouTube video captures on camera the full extent of the damage inside the old Sir Gilbert Claughton School/Claughton Centre in Blowers Green Road.
A plan to turn the empty Edwardian former school building into 33 new apartments was registered with Dudley Council in early April this year but the derelict site suffered further deterioration when a severe fire broke out in July.
Six crews tackled the fire at the height of the blaze, thought to be arson, which left parts of the building in a state of collapse.
Mr Macey, a keen documenter of abandoned places, however, decided to visit the site recently to see what was left of the historic building which dates back to 1904 and which was sold by the council to a private developer a few years ago.
His footage shows windows have all been smashed, as have internal fixtures and fittings, and the recent fire has ravaged the roof.
Despite the damage he noted the building's "amazing brickwork", "beautiful entrance" and the remains of an internal skylight and he said: "It absolutely drives me insane to see places like this just left.
"It's an old, historic school - it should be saved. Many generations of children have been taught here. To see it like this is really sad."
People are warned against taking a peek inside for themselves - given the dangerous condition of the building which Mr Macey described as "absolutely wrecked".
He said he wanted to highlight the state of disrepair it had fallen into, adding: "It gets me so mad to see places like this - part of our heritage going down the toilet."
The former Sir Gilbert Claughton School was built on the site of a former colliery as part of the Edwardian expansion of Dudley and the buildings are considered to make a "significant contribution to the appearance and character of Blowers Green Road" according to a heritage statement submitted to the council in relation to the planning application.
The scheme seeks approval to turn the original building into 27 new apartments plus six new one and two-bed properties to be created with a new single storey extension at the back and a two-storey extension to the front of the building.
Planning documents, however, highlight concerns about "some of the proposed alterations and extensions" and suggested amendments would be necessary for the plan to gain approval.
The Coal Authority has also indicated the redevelopment plan in its present guise would not be permitted given the presence of mine shafts on the site.
For more of Ian's videos check out his YouTube channel by searching I Macey or 'Abandoned School.....Blowers Green Dudley West Midlands 2020'.
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