The owner of the site of a former Grenoside school has defended plans to build new homes on the land, after they were rejected by the city council.

Plans to build seven homes on the site of the former 1884-built Grenoside Junior and Infant School were rejected by Sheffield City Council officers on the grounds that it was a ‘heritage asset’.

Julie Moore, owner of the land, said: “Our dream was to save the school and live in the original building that is still standing on Lump Lane.”

She added: “We are hoping to build the new houses in the same position as the old buildings, we will be reusing the original stone.”

Julie and her husband hoped to convert the school buildings, but the building on Norfolk Hill collapsed under snow whilst still owned by the sellers.

The site has been cordoned off ever since.

Sheffield City Council officers refused the application and in a report it said: “These proposals would result in a modest degree of less than substantial harm to the conservation area.

“The harm or loss is outweighed by the benefit of bringing the site back into use.”

The site boundary runs along Lump Lane to the north, Norfolk Hill to the south, a public access footpath to the west and several residential buildings along the east and northwest sides.

Planners said the application was refused because the development could overbear and overshadow a nearby property.

Cllr Alan Hooper, Chair of the North Local Area Committee, spoke about the building and said: “There are constant problems with it.

“The local neighbours are disappointed nothing will happen.”

The former primary school closed in 2006, and that same year the new Grenoside Community Primary School opened across the road.