WORK has begun on restoring a partly demolished Victorian school in central Swindon after the council won a court battle with its owner.

Developer Sukh Mander wants to convert Clifton Street School, which is actually in Radnor Street, into flats.

He started knocking it down two years ago – but did not have permission to do so. Swindon Borough Council ordered him to stop and for months the building stood with huge holes in the roof, inadequately protected by tarpaulins which blew off in periods of high winds.

Mr Mander took the council to court in July saying it couldn’t tell him to restore the school to its past state, but the court found against him.

Now more scaffolding has been put up at the site and the broken roof tiles have been removed, exposing the roof beams.

Cabinet member for planning Gary Sumner said: “I am pleased to see the developers complying with the notice. The former Clifton Street School is a heritage asset that is treasured by the local community and I hope residents are reassured that we take these issues very seriously indeed.”

Save Swindon's Heritage founder Sally Hawson added: “One of the things that swayed the judge, I believe, to come down in favour of the enforcement action was an unprecedented number of public responses.

“There were loads from our group, I went on a bit of a campaign to get people to write – but I think a lot of people went to that school or their mum or dad did.

“I think there’s a growing realisation that we have to look after our historic buildings, that they are our history. We lost Even Swindon Primary School a while back and I think people realised we do have to fight to keep these important buildings.

”I’m very glad the council stuck to its guns. It makes things much easier if the council decides our heritage is worth fighting to save.”

She added it remains to be seen how well the building will survive.

“It’s been in such a state and open to the weather for so long now, we really don’t know how it is going to be," she said.

“The interior has been removed and the original fittings and fixtures like fireplaces and radiators sold, but at least the exterior should be kept intact.”

Mr Mander did not respond to a request for comment.