RESIDENTS can have their say about the future of a much-loved Victorian school building.

The old Hinguar School, in Shoebury, is earmarked for redevelopment as new homes, but Southend Council is seeking people’s views at three public meetings over the next four weeks.

The scheme will be the first by Public Sector Partnerships Southend, a new joint venture by the council and property investor Public Sector, formed to redevelop 19 dormant brownfield sites.

Andrew Moring, councillor responsible for corporate services, said: “It was always the council’s intention to sell off the old Hinguar site once the new school was established.

“This will recoup some of the new school’s building costs and in turn reduces the council’s borrowing requirements and associated costs.”

The council, which is working closely with Public Sector on the scheme, favours developing the 1.4acre site as flats and homes.

Its preferred plan would be 30 to 35 houses, with a bias towards family homes.

The Victorian facade of the school, which closed in July last year after pupils moved toanew building in New Garrison Road, would be retained and parts of the main school building, which is locally listed, would be preserved and refurbished.

The later extensions and outbuildings would be demolished to make way for new homes.

The meetings will take place on Friday, September 20, Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12.

People will be able to visit the site, speak to the design team and ask questions at next Friday’s meeting.

The team will present work to date, including plans of the proposed development.

People will also be invited to record their memories of the old school.

Pupils at the new Hinguar School will get involved in the events and present their ideas on the redevelopment of the site.

All the meetings, which will be organised on a drop-in basis, will be held in the old school hall from 9am to 12.30pm.