A housing charity has applied to develop a former school site, which could signal the end of a long-running saga.

The Priory Meadow School, St Osyth, closed nearly 20 years ago.

Essex County Council gave a third of the 3-acre site to the parish council, which it turned into a public playing field, a third to the St Osyth Almshouse Trust and sold the rest to developers.

Colne Housing Society has handed an application to Tendring Council for 16 homes on the Almshouse site.

The application to Tendring Council includes a new road. It is hoped a decision will be made by the end of December.