THE spirit of Alderman Blaxill School looks set to live on after plans to build a new multimillion pound school on the same site were officially unveiled yesterday.

County Hall education bosses hope to build the new secondary school to replace the former Paxman Avenue school.

The school closed in 2014 as a result of dwindling pupil numbers and is now expected to be demolished before the end of the year.

But the fresh plans have now been finalised and were put on display to the public during a consultation event held yesterday in the nearby St Cedd’s Hall, in Iceni Way.

The proposals for the new facilities have been amended several times throughout the last year and will now see Essex County Council submit a planning application for the 900-pupil school.

But the new building is unlikely to retain the Alderman Blaxill name.

It also remains unclear whether initial plans to build a pupil referral unit and key worker housing for teachers have been retained.

Residents who attended yesterday’s consultation were pleased to see the site continue to be used for educational purposes.

Among those present was Lyn Barton, Colchester councillor for Shrub End, who was excited by the proposals.

The Lib Dem was particularly excited about plans to build a sports hall which would be open to the public outside of school hours.

She said: “It looks the business. The sports hall looks very impressive.

“I wanted the school to retain the community use and it looks like the facilities are going to be first class.

“On the whole, I am relieved there is now certainty that the site will be used for educational and community purposes.

“It will be a new start. The school will succeed because we have new estates in the surrounding area and the demand for more schools is increasing.

“I am confident it will be a big success.”

One of the concerns raised by residents during the consultation was the need for infrastructure, especially roads, to be improved.

A spokesmen for Essex County Council confirmed the issue would be considered before the planning application is submitted later this year.

He said: “Roads are always a very sensitive issue.

“The concerns appear to be about pick-up points and the safety of children.

“Local residents know how the roads operate around the area and it is useful to obtain their feedback so that we can look into these finer details.”

It is hoped construction will start in spring next year and the school will be ready in time for the new academic year starting in September 2019.