AMBITIOUS plans have been revealed to build 23 town houses and flats on a school site in the heart of Shoebury.

Dozens of people turned out for a consultation to have their say over the plans for the 1.4-acre Hinguar School site.

The Victorian facade of the building will be protected as part of the plan following a lengthy campaign by residents.

Designs of nine flats and 23 town houses were revealed in the old school’s hall by consultants who have been brought in to oversee the plans.

Mike Bodkin, of the consultancy team, the Peter Brett Association, said: “We’ve come up with a concept design to gain peoples’ impressions about the future of the development, and reassure residents the design will be in keeping with the area.

The scheme will be a joint venture by Southend Council and investment company, Public Sector Partnerships Southend.

The proposals come after the old chool closed and pupils moved into a multi-million pound purpose-built site in Gunners Park.

Southend Council spokesman, Sarah Lofts, said: “There’s got to be a development to offset the cost of the new school, and that was always the long-term plan.

“Public Sector has the money and expertise to back the scheme, and it maximises the potential for the site to have an expert on board.”

A group of six pupils from the new Hinguar School, on New Garrison Road, returned to visit the school, accompanied by headteacher, Viv Stevens.

She said: “We’re keen to show interest in part of the process. The children were between the ages of seven and eight when they attended the old school, and they have enjoyed coming back to see it today.”

The next set of consultations will be held on Friday, October 11, between 12.30pm and 9pm, and Saturday, October 12, from 9am until 12.30pm.

The partnership aims to construct and submit a planning application in November, and hopes work will start early next year.