A SCHOOL for youngsters with learning difficulties will be able to expand on to the site of a former school.

Thriftwood Special Academy in Slades Lane, Galleywood, has been granted permission to use part of the land of the former St Peter’s College, in Fox Crescent, Melbourne.

The school will take over one of the main blocks and all the smaller blocks on the site. A recently elected county councillor is now keen to hear ideas for what the rest of the site should be used for.

St Peter’s closed at the end of August last year after more than 70 years due to a fall in numbers and standards. Essex County Council was then left to decide what would become of the land.

A vocational centre was strongly fancied towards the end of last year and Chelmsford College considered the site to expand its engineering facilities.

Late last year Thriftwood School started the process to expand its age range to include 16 to 18-year-olds and approached the county council to use part of the site.

Stephen Robinson, county councillor for Chelmsford North, said he is pleased education will continue on part of the site. He is keen to hear suggestions for the remainder of the land.

He said: “During the recent by-election I said I would campaign for community facilities on the site.

“I am delighted the council agreed to give local people time to come forward with proposals for what the community would like to see on the site in the future.”