Former Fulneck School classroom block could become offices

By John Baron

A former school building could be transformed into offices, if plans are approved by Leeds City Council.

Applicant The Moravian Union wants to convert classrooms in the Robinson Building, based on the wider historic Fulneck School site, into its new headquarters.

Proposals include open plan office space, small one-person offices, archive space with room for an archivist, meeting rooms and staff facilities, such as a kitchen.

A design statement submitted with the application states: “The building is in generally good condition, however does shows signs of disrepair with significant leaks to the roof.”

The report concludes: “The proposals seek to sensitively repurpose the existing Robinson Building from its former educational use to office with associated archive accommodation for the Moravian Union as their head office. This is a sustainable use of an existing building and secures the building’s continued use and its long-term maintenance.

“Plans also include ancillary archive storage facilities, with associated alterations including to windows, doors, security shutters and new parapet and a new external plant.”

The plans can be viewed in full here on Leeds City Council’s planning portal.

WLD reported in May that the historic Grade I Listed main school buildings and grounds next to the Robinson Building had been put on the market by the Moravian Union.

Fulneck School closed in July 2025 after 272 years due falling pupil numbers and rising costs. The independent day and boarding school was based at the historic Moravian settlement of Fulneck and dated back to 1753.

Fulneck School was established in 1753 in order to provide an education for the sons and daughters of the church’s ministers and missionaries. Famous former pupils included actress Dame Diana Rigg and HH Asquith, who was Prime Minister between 1908–16.

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