PLANS for an £8million new school building are a step closer.

Langham Oaks special educational needs school in Langham looks set to have an entirely new campus built in the existing grounds if granted permission by Colchester Council.

The planning application for a new two-storey school, which will include residential accommodation for boarders, has now been submitted.

The school has 69 pupils who have special educational needs, of which 28 would board on the first floor of the new school.

It would be situated on an open field to the east of the existing Victorian building.

The site would be accessed in the same way as it has been previously and there would be parking facilities.

The council aims to decide on the plans by February 18.

If approved the building work could start shortly after and be completed by May 2020.

The new campus would be up and running by September 2020.

On the ground floor the new school will have a central courtyard to be used as an area for pupils who may need to take some time away from class.

The ground floor is also set to include specialist classrooms for subjects such as art, ICT and science and an office area.

There will also be a sports hall, new kitchen areas, bedrooms and a dining area.

Langham Oaks in School Road offers boarding and daytime education for boys aged 10 to 16 whose complex behavioural needs vary.

Some pupils have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or mental health conditions.

All of the pupils have a statement of special educational needs, or an educational health care plan.

Money for the project is coming from the Government and delivered through the SEAX trust, which the school has been part of since 2015.

The original school building is owned by Essex County Council but its future intentions for the building are not known.