A demolition application has been lodged for most of the buildings at a former private school in South Lanarkshire following a series of security breaches, anti-social behaviour and a fire at the vacant site. According to BBC News, the proposal seeks to remove structures surrounding the historic Fernhill School property on Fernbrae Avenue in Rutherglen, while preserving the original category C-listed building that dates to the late 19th century.
The independent Catholic school, which served children aged two through 18, ceased operations in mid-2026 after facing mounting financial pressures. The site has since experienced multiple break-ins and anti-social incidents, culminating in a fire that damaged an ancillary building in September 2026.
Why was the school closed?
Fernhill School's directors attributed the closure to rising operational costs and VAT charges on school fees, alongside broader financial challenges. The closure followed an investigation by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR), which published an inquiry report on 28 January 2026 citing missing annual accounts spanning three financial years and apparent trustee misconduct. The regulator directed the charity to provide financial and governance information to address these concerns.
The school had operated since 1972, when it was established by the School Sisters of Notre Dame following the building's earlier use as a convent primary school from 1953.
What happened at the site after closure?
Since the school shut its doors in mid-2026, the vacant premises have become a focal point for criminal activity and vandalism. In September 2026, a fire broke out at the eastern ancillary building, with eyewitnesses reporting that fireworks appeared to have been ignited inside the structure before the blaze took hold. The demolition statement submitted on behalf of the owner emphasises that these incidents have created
clear concerns for the safety of the site, and the safety/preservation of the C-Listed building.
What is being proposed?
The applicant, electronics company Retronix Semiconductor, is seeking permission to demolish the later additions to the site while retaining the original historic structure. The proposal covers nine ancillary buildings, which were added incrementally during the school's operational years and do not form part of the original historic fabric. Retronix founder Tony Boswell served as a director at Fernhill between 2011 and 2014.
The demolition statement highlights that the condition and security of the vacant premises have deteriorated significantly since closure. It states:
Since the closure of the school in mid-2026, there have been multiple reports of break-ins and anti-social behaviour on the site, compounded by a fire to the eastern most ancillary building in September 2026.
What happens next?
The application, formally registered as P/26/1324 and validated during the week of 26–30 October 2026, is now under consideration by South Lanarkshire Council. The planning authority has set 25 December 2026 as the expiry date for a decision on the application. The submission, lodged by Inkdesign Architecture Ltd, contains no proposals for future use of the cleared site or the retained listed building.
Key Facts
- Fernhill School, an independent Catholic institution established in 1972, closed in mid-2026 after financial difficulties and regulatory scrutiny by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
- The vacant site has experienced multiple break-ins, anti-social behaviour, and a fire in September 2026 that damaged an ancillary building.
- The demolition proposal seeks to remove nine ancillary buildings added during the school's operation while preserving the original late-19th-century category C-listed structure.
- Retronix Semiconductor, the current owner, submitted the application through Inkdesign Architecture Ltd, with a decision deadline of 25 December 2026.
- No future use for the site or the retained listed building has been outlined in the submitted proposals.
