An Independent school in York is looking to expand by buying a neighbouring building which a charity is set to move out of.

York and District Deaf Society is looking to leave its current base at Bootham House, a listed building, and this has led Bootham School – which is next door – to draw up proposals to take over the premises, which have been put up for sale.

The aim is to use it for extra boarding accommodation and teaching space. A planning application for the scheme has now been submitted to City of York Council.

The school is currently investigating the purchase of the property, which dates back to the 18th Century, with modern extensions having been added over the years.

“The building is currently used as the headquarters for the Deaf Society in York and is on the market as it no longer meets the organisation’s needs,” said a design and access statement prepared by architects and surveyors Squires and Brown, agents for the scheme.

“The applicant feels this building would be ideally suited to the proposed use. Its location on the edge of the school’s campus would allow the majority of school activities to take place around one campus.”

The firm said the small rooms within the building would be “ideal” as bedrooms for boarding pupils, adding that if the application is approved, there will be no changes made to the outside appearance of the property.

They also said studies of the building had revealed it was not suitable to house modern offices, with York property firm Naish, who were consulted by the school’s bursar Andy Woodland, saying it was too small for major hotel chains and too expensive for smaller hotel and bed-and-breakfast operators.

The school currently has three Georgian boarding houses for its students – Rowntree, which caters for girls, and Fox and Evelyn House which provide accommodation for boys. It caters for full-time and weekly boarders, as well as day students.

A school spokeswoman said it was now waiting to hear the outcome of its application, with a decision expected to be made by planners next month, and that it would be a “great additional resource for our students”.