The statement was requested by the local planning authority to provide baseline information concerning the Grade II listed building in terms of its potential historic significance, structural development and the extent to which historic features survive. Its purpose is to enable informed decisions to be made concerning the future development, use and management of the building. The West Block of Chesterfield College was purpose built as a grammar School in c.1846 and was enlarged with the addition of a new block towards the end of the 19th century. The architecture is typical of educational buildings from this period and addressed both the educational needs of the day and also created a powerful architectural statement in terms of aspiration and decorative motifs. It is a good example of an educational building from the 19th century, a use which is still successfully maintained today. Its designation as a Grade II Listed Building is appropriate as its external appearance is relatively intact retaining much of its original character, although it should be noted that resulting from interventions during the 20th-century the condition of internal surviving fixtures and fittings varies throughout the building. The large classroom and central corridors do however still provide a feeling of space and light, which is not always replicated in later schools from the 20th century. It is important to note that the building has significantly adapted on a number of occasions, with changes made to meet the requirements of the school or college. This has continued to the present day with modern services, a lift and the addition of fire escapes all being added, or built into the historic fabric. This has unfortunately detracted from the external appearance of the building, but it is suggested that future structural changes associated with a future use, may allow some of this alterations to be reversed. For example the removal of unsightly service pipes and cabling from corridors would enhance the historic integrity of the spaces, whilst enabling essential works to proceed elsewhere within the building. Externally the building retains many of its historic features, but its appearance and its setting has been damaged by recent alterations. Many of these are relatively minor and could be reversed to enhance the exterior character and its contribution to the Conservation Area. The relocation of the principal access to the southern section of the boundary wall, including the raising of ground levels would for example create a far more acceptable solution for access to the site, whilst at the same time enhancing its historic character.
Oliver Jessop (Thu,) studied this question.