BUILDING work is due to start soon on a new secondary school after plans were delayed.

The new Trinity School at the Chesterwell site in Mile End in Colchester was due to open this year.

However, delays mean the school, which is set to take 180 pupils per year, will now open in September 2021.

Essex County Council is in discussions with the builders and work on design is taking place.

The Gilberd School, Colchester County High School for Girls and Manningtree High School are jointly behind the project.

There will shortly be a meeting between the schools and representatives from the Department for Education about the next stage of the process.

An admissions policy is being drawn up and will go out for consultation shortly.

Mark Orrin, deputy headteacher responsible for the development of the new school, said: “It’s getting very exciting now

“We have been talking to parents as those parents of Year 5 students will be starting to look already.

“We regret it just hasn’t been possible to open next year but it’s starting to take shape, we have been meeting with the Department for Education and building work is due to start and it should be finished by 2021.

“Details like deciding on uniform and logos give us a clear flavour of what the school will be like.

“This will be a new school with an established heritage, we think that’s really important for the community.”

The schools form part of major plans known as the Northern Growth Area, which will ultimately see 1,600 new homes and community facilities built on the 257 acres of land.