RESIDENTS and ex-pupils have spoken of their fury after a school announced plans to sell off a popular old building.

Governors at The Harwich School announced plans to sell The Grange, in Hall Lane, Dovercourt, during a public exhibition held for residents on Friday and Saturday.

The school intend to apply for outline planning permission to convert The Grange into flats and build additional modern town houses on land adjacent to the Grade 2 listed building.

The building and its surrounding grounds will then be sold to a private developer and it is hoped the sale will help pay for a new state-of-the-art sixth form centre on the school site.

However, residents and community leaders have spoken out over the plans and now plan to set up a committee and launch a campaign to oppose them.

Marian Francis, 70, of Hall Lane, said: “I think the sale of The Grange is absolutely terrible because it should be restored to its former glory, not sold and converted into flats.

“And, they are going to build more flats and houses on the site which I think is disgusting.”

She added: “They really ought to have it as a wedding venue or something, it would be absolutely beautiful.”

Another resident who attended the consultation said: “I am not against a new sixth form. I have got 11 grandchildren and probably my great grandchildren will want to use it when it is built, but it is what we will be losing as far as The Grange is concerned.

“It is a wonderful old building and there are a lot of memories for people who have been educated there.”

He added: “I can just see this is going to go the same way as the old Harwich Primary School which burnt down last year. There is going to be a nasty accident and it will go beyond the point of repair and will end up getting pulled down.”

Around 80 people attended over the two days and were asked to complete an evaluation sheet where they could make comments on the designs.

Speaking at the exhibition, headteacher, Mr Mountford, said: “Maintaining the building has increasingly become a massive financial drain on our budget and maintaining it to the required Grade 2 listed standard is financially impossible.”

He added: “Security is also an issue because of it’s geographical isolation.”

The Grange is said to need “major expenditure” to its roof, leaded windows, drainage poles and the rendering.

Ex-pupil and Harwich town councillor, Steph Tyrer, said: “Obviously I will judge the formal planning application on its own merits when it comes before Harwich Town Council.

“However, I was horrified by the preliminary display that I saw at the Schools open day on Friday.

“This is one of the most well loved buildings in our town and it must be protected at all costs and not simply seen as a cash cow for developers.”

She added: “I was heartened to see so many people at the open day though, and it just proves how concerned the local community is about the future of The Grange and its grounds.”