ARTISTS’ impressions of how a £6.9million secondary school redevelopment could look have been revealed after an application was formally lodged to Colchester Council.

The Stanway Federation Academy Trust has applied to demolish the dated Gainsborough block which is more than 50 years old and considered unfit for modern educational purposes and replace it with a new Arts building at the Stanway School, in Winstree Road.

In addition the application would see a new science wing built, a new enclosed area in the existing campus, a small extension to the school kitchens and one of the existing football pitches replaced with a multi-use games area which will be funded by Essex County Council.

Much of the school was redesigned in 2005, and the changes would be some of the final buildings to be modernised since the school first opened 60 years ago.

The school is currently struggling to keep up with the demand from pupils who want to attend the school with just 223 youngsters from 925 who applied able to get a place at the beginning of this academic year.

If given the go ahead, the new block would allow the school to take on an extra 60 pupils per year.

Residents, pupils and parents were invited to a consultation event after the plans were first announced last month.

Colchester Council has the final say on the application and aims to make a decision by June 8.