AN historic school which landscaped a village since the Victorian era has been razed to the ground to make way for new homes.

All that remains at the site of the former Ramsey Primary School is a mound of rubble after the demolition of the building was completed.

Robinson and Hall LLP, which applied for planning permission two years ago, is now in the process of clearing and preparing the site for eight new homes.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Goodbye: A pile of rubble where the former school once stood

The former school building was destroyed in May last year after arsonists started a fire which ripped through the structure.

The building had been left unused since it closed about ten years ago and the school’s pupils were moved to new Two Village Primary School.

George Elmer, Ramsey, and Parkeston Parish Council chairman, said: “Back in the day before it was closed, the school was popular with students and parents and to my knowledge it never received a bad report.

“It was an easy journey for the villagers and children of Ramsey.

“It’s now a horrible site when someone drives past it, and it’s a disgrace left as it is.

“The building was getting derelict and slowly collapsing and the council will be pleased to see it be rebuilt if they keep it within the keeping of the village.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Smoking: Firefighters tackling the blaze at the former school last year

Peter Le Grys, principal planner for the development, said Dutch gables will be created on the new homes to try to reflect the character of the original building.

He said: “The historic front of the former school was not supposed to be reserved.

“There was an application before with a client who got the site and the council had accepted it was not a conservation area or listed building.

“So there was no attempt by the council to retain what was there. We are just starting out and will be carrying out landscaping, surface water drainage and getting details of materials needed.

“We endeavour to start the project in the autumn and have no specific details of how long the project will take to complete at this stage.”

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

Classmates: Teacher Nigel Spencer with schoolchildren at the Ramsey Primary when it was open

Since the closure of the school, there have been different planning applications put forward to Tendring Council.

The site has seen planning applications for a 63-bed nursing home, which was later withdrawn, and an application for a 45-bed care home for the elderly and dementia sufferers which was refused and then later approved.

Developers applied to bulldoze the building to make way for eight new homes in 2013 after stating the school was beyond repair but these plans were later withdrawn.

But Tendring Council approved plans last year for developers to build on the site.

The agreement includes keeping the majority of trees and covering them with a protection order.

Developers will be building a terrace of three houses at the front of the site, with five detached properties to the rear, set around two courtyard areas.