A BRAND new state of the art secondary school is set to be built in south Colchester.

The Alderman Blaxill site in Paxman Avenue is the preferred option.

Essex County Councillors have already been briefed on the proposals which may also include a primary school for all years learning.

Dave Harris, who represents the ward at County Hall, said: "Essex County Council are progressing the idea, in emphatic terms, of a new school on the Alderman Blaxill site.

"The numbers stack this up.

"The site has to be used for schooling and it is clearly needed.

"Within two years we will have gaps.

"There is a sticking plaster solution at the moment with the three new forms at Philip Morant and Stanway which gives some space to get it right."

Headteachers are being informed about the proposals this week and next before a public meeting, which could take place as early as next month.

Due to Colchester's rapid population growth there is a shortage of spaces at primary and secondary schools, in spite of new schools being built.

Politicians at County Hall have found some capacity.

About £13million is being spent to create another 60 spaces each year at Philip Morant from next year and 54 at Stanway School creating about 300 spaces by 2022.

The expansion of Philip Morant School will cost £7.1million with expansion plans including bigger dining facilities and teaching areas.

The extension to Stanway School will cost £5.7million and Gainsborough block would be demolished and replaced with a new purpose-built block.

But, even with this, there will be more pupils than places within two years, according to the latest figures, with the gap increasing from then on, unless something more is done.

Mr Harris believes this makes an Alderman Blaxill school a necessity.

And with refurbishment costs at an estimated £16.4million the buidings are set to be knocked down and a new school built.

Mr Harris added: "The gaps will get worse.

"This is likely to be a free school or an academy but it will be a state-of-the-art school for teaching.

"It is a wonderful idea."

In May Ray Gooding, cabinet member for education, confirmed viability studies had been carried out at Paxman Avenue.

Now plans are moving forward.

Alderman Blaxill was closed in 2014 but kept temporarily for educational purposes.

The Stanway Federation Learning Centre is currently being run from the site.