Thompson House in Gatcombe.
(Image: Isle of Wight County Press)
Plans for an escape room in a former Isle of Wight council building have been dropped, as demolition looms.
Random Rooms wanted to transform Thompson House, on Sandy Lane, Gatcombe, but County Hall rejected the bid, saying it did not meet the criteria proposed for the site.
The land is earmarked for 15 houses and the Isle of Wight Council has received £135,000 in government funding, under the brownfield release fund, to make the site suitable for housing.
Posting on social media, Random Rooms said he was disappointed but the news was not unexpected.
It said it was already discussing other new ideas.
The last council services left the site in 2022 and the green light was given to demolish the former education center.
The contract for demolition starts next week, on Monday, April 17 and discussions are ongoing about what will happen to the land.
Developers are being sought to take on the new build project, on approximately 2.4 hectares, which is currently up for sale.
Lake’s former Island Learning Center and what was Weston Academy in Totland have also got brownfield release fund cash.
That means they have to be released for development by March 2024.