CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating today after plans were unveiled for a new multi-million pound school on the site of the former secondary school in Colchester.

Residents and politicians have fought for years to keep Alderman Blaxill School open.

After the axe fell, they called for the site to be kept for educational services and not sold off to housing.

Now Essex County Council has revealed its four options for the use of the site - and all are for a new school.

They are:

  • A secondary school taking 120 students per year along with a primary school taking 60 children and an early years centre for 56 children
  • A secondary school taking 180 students a year and a primary school taking 60 children per year
  • A secondary school taking 180 students a year and having a 150 place sixth form 
  • A secondary school taking 180 students per year and a 30 place pupil referral unit in a separate building on the same site.

Dave Harris (Lab), county and borough councillor for the area, said he was delighted the site will still be used for education.

He said: “I am over the moon. I have always said that site must be used for educational purposes and any of these options fit the bill completely.

“Whatever option is chosen, it will be for education and the community which is fantastic.

“It will be a brand new school which is state-of-the-art. You’d give your right arm for it.”

Mr Harris said the cost of refurbishing the school would be £17 million.

The cost of demolishing the existing building and building the new school would cost about £40 million.

The school is set to open before 2020.

Mr Harris he was also hopeful roads near the school, which are full of potholes, would be repaired and a cycle route introduced.

Lyn Barton (Lib Dem), a borough councillor who has fought for the school to be saved, said: “This is superb news. Our concern was the site would be sold for housing so to hear of this level of investment in education is great.”

n Two drop in sessions are being held at the former Alderman Blaxill School site in Paxman Avenue on Thursday., from 5.30pm to 6.30pm and between 7pm and 8pm. Representatives from Essex County Council will be on hand to talk about plans for the site and answer questions.