The Old Grammar School, Audlem

This is a Grade II* listed building (List Entry 1312614) and it sits in the Audlem Conservation Area.

Since early July the Parish Council have had serious concerns about unauthorised works on the site.

1. Formal Enforcement Case

In early July, Cheshire East opened a Planning Enforcement case – reference 26/0442/ENF.
On 10 July they gave it Priority 1 status because of the risk to the historic building and the protected trees and hedges. We specifically complained about the damage to, and removal of, trees and hedges in the Conservation Area.
Cheshire East have confirmed that this part of the investigation is still ongoing.

2. Reports Made Residents submitted many complaints.

The Parish Council formally reported the issues and has kept chasing the Council.
We also reported the matter to Cheshire Police, Environmental Health (about the fires), and the Council’s Heritage officers.

3. Detailed Research

A lot of background work was done by residents and the Parish Council:

• We confirmed the Grade II* listing and Conservation Area status.
• We checked the Land Registry – there is a Unilateral Notice from November 2025 showing an agreement to sell from the Receivers to ATOZ Concepts Ltd.
• We looked into the ownership history and the companies involved.
• We checked the planning portal – no planning permission, no Listed Building Consent, and no section 211 notice for the trees.
• We reviewed the relevant planning and heritage laws.

All of this research was shared with Cheshire East to support the enforcement case.

4. Formal Written Pressure

In mid-August, both individual residents and the Parish Council sent detailed, legally robust letters to Cheshire East. These letters:

• Pointed out the complete lack of updates since the Priority 1 letter on 10 July
• Listed all the ongoing problems (trees, hedges, new access, fires, gas cylinder, etc.)
• Quoted the key legislation
• Formally asked for a Temporary Stop Notice
• Made clear that further delay could lead to a maladministration complaint

These letters carried real weight and helped push the Council to act.

5. Temporary Stop Notice Issued

Following site visits, Cheshire East issued a Listed Building Temporary Stop Notice.
It came into force in mid-August and lasts for 56 days.
It is a criminal offence to ignore it. We are still waiting for clear confirmation from the Council on the exact scope of the Notice – whether it only covers the building itself or the wider site. Cheshire East have told us that the Temporary Stop Notice does not cover the tree and hedge works.
Those matters remain under investigation separately.

6. Joint Collaboration

This has been a genuine collaborative effort from the start. Audlem Parish Council has worked closely throughout with:

• Our Ward Councillor
• Our Member of Parliament
• Cheshire Police
• Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Together we have sharing information, coordinating reports, and keeping pressure on Cheshire East Council. The Parish Council would like to place on record its sincere thanks to all of them for their support, professionalism and collaborative approach. This joined-up working has made a real difference.

7. Questions about possible HMO / Asylum Use

We know many residents have been asking whether the building could become an HMO for asylum seekers. The current position is clear:

• No planning application or Listed Building Consent has been submitted for any change of use.
• Converting it to an HMO would need full planning permission, Listed Building Consent, Building Regulations approval, and an HMO licence.
• Home Office contractors are not exempt from planning or listed building law.
• Because it is Grade II* and in a Conservation Area, the barriers are much higher than for a normal house.
• The Temporary Stop Notice and active enforcement case make it even harder.