THERE are plans to turn the site of a former Bromsgrove school into affordable housing.

The old Sidemoor First School site, in Broad Street, has been bought by West Mercia Housing Group, which wants to turn the school into 15 affordable flats, including six apartments and nine houses. The group says that the properties will be offered to applicants for affordable rent, and as a shared ownership purchase.

A planning application has been lodged with the district council and the former school could be demolished in the next fortnight.

Catherine Shearwood, headteacher of the new Sidemoor First School, said they hoped to obtain some of the historical and architectural features of the former school and use them for a display in the new courtyard.

“It would be nice to have a link to the school’s history at the new school by putting the historical features on display for pupils,” she said.

The original Broad Street school opened in 1884 and generations of children were educated at the site. The site has been empty since the school’s relocation to its new building in Perryfields Road, in April 2007.

Councillor David Pardoe (Ind-Sidemoor) helped organise a meeting between the housing group and residents of nearby Sydney Road.

Cllr Pardoe said: “It was good meeting. People were able to voice any concerns they may have with the proposed project, which the group took on board.”

Subject to planning permission, work on the project could begin in the autumn.