An abandoned public school building is set to be transformed into retail and office space, according to planning documents.

Under proposals submitted by the construction firm Onsite Engineering Services, the former Bishop Spencer School in Pembroke will also house a workshop, a warehouse and dormitories for up to 12 staff.

The three-storey government-owned property on The Glebe Road has been derelict for decades. In 2011 it was earmarked for emergency housing but that initiative proved too costly.

In 2020, the building was ruled to be “surplus to government requirement” and the Government asked for expressions of interest from the private sector to repurpose it.

It is understood that businessman E.R. Burrows is behind the development. Mr Burrows could not be reached for comment by press time.

A “Grounds in Support” letter submitted by Onsite Engineering states: “The proposed development involves the interior renovation of the existing three-storey Bishop Spencer School building to accommodate a renovated retail shop, office space, warehouse, workshops and other ancillary services.”

The proposal will require the property to be reclassified from a non-residential institution category to mixed use — retail, business and temporary accommodation.

The dormitories will be located in the basement and ground floor, “serving as temporary/transitional housing with fluctuating occupancy”.

The letter adds: “We propose six new parking spaces on the lower level to provide quick access to the workshop and offices, along with a new garage door for the retail space.

“The existing parking at the street-level access will remain unchanged and will continue to be used exclusively for customers and staff.”

According to the plans, a number of interior partition walls and non-load-bearing masonry walls will have to be demolished, while an access ramp to the retail level, requiring a retaining wall, will be built.

Approximately 42 solar panels will be installed in the commercial roof area along with two electric vehicle chargers in the existing parking lot.

The letter concluded: “This application complies with the development standard, as the proposed use will not result in an increase in noise, vibrations, smells, fumes or operating hours to a level that adversely affects neighbouring properties.”

It added that the proposal will not have a detrimental impact on any conservation zones or result in an increase in traffic.