End of an Era as Demolition begins at the former Clarence House School site in Formby

Work has now begun on the long-awaited demolition of the former Clarence House School on West Lane, Formby — marking the first visible step in transforming the site after years of dereliction, fires and uncertainty.

The building, which has stood empty since the school closed in 2018, has been a growing concern for local residents. Numerous fires, including a major blaze earlier this year, left the interior severely damaged. Now, demolition crews have officially moved in, signalling that the site’s redevelopment is finally underway.

This follows Sefton Council’s planning approval for Redrow Homes to build 89 new houses across the land on both sides of West Lane. Before demolition could begin, Redrow were required to complete extensive planning conditions — including a detailed archaeological investigation into the land’s historic past, and a formal process for dealing with any remains or finds uncovered during the works.

With these early stages now progressing, sections of the building are being stripped back and prepared for safe removal. Local residents will start to see machinery on site over the coming weeks as the structure is taken down piece by piece.

The site has a long and complex history. Originally built in 1885 as an industrial school, Clarence House later became a special education facility before closing in 2018. Since then, it has fallen into disrepair and become a target for vandalism and arson, prompting repeated calls from the community for urgent action.

The beginning of demolition marks a major milestone and a fresh start for this part of Formby. Once the site is cleared, Redrow Homes will move toward the construction phase for the 89 new residential properties included in the approved plans.

We’ll keep you updated on every stage of the demolition and redevelopment as it moves forward.

Photos courtesy of Peter Shillitoe