A NEW £8million school building has been given the green light.

Langham Oaks special educational needs school in Langham revealed plans last year to build an entirely new campus in the existing grounds.

Colchester Council has now granted permission for the new two-storey school, which will include residential accommodation for boarders.

The building work, by Kier Construction, should start shortly and is aimed for completion by May 2020.

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

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

It will be situated on a field to the east of the existing Victorian building, which will be put up for sale by owners Essex County Council this summer.

The new school will be accessed in the same way as it has been previously with parking facilities.

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 school was invited to comment.