THRILLED campaigners have welcomed plans for a new secondary school to be built at Colchester’s former Alderman Blaxill site.

Essex County Council has announced the new school would take 900 pupils and be open from 2019.

Campaigners have been fighting for a new school on the site for years, fearing the land would be sold off for housing after Alderman Blaxill School closed in 2014.

Lyn Barton, Shrub End ward councillor, said: “I am absolutely delighted if this has been confirmed.

“It’s been a long battle but it was always evident that we needed a school to serve the Shrub End community. This is welcome news for residents and alleviates fears the site would be sold.”

Four options had been considered for the site, which is not expected to keep the name Alderman Blaxill.

A primary school had been considered, as had a sixth form, but neither made the cut after a public consultation.

It has not yet been decided who will run the school with the option still open for it to be a free school to step in to run it.

Discussions are continuing about whether the secondary school should include a pupil referral unit for primary school aged pupils.

The site is set to be demolished next summer and construction work should start in January 2018 with the new school opening in September 2019.

Alderman Blaxill School opened in 1955 and fought off two closure attempts, in the 1990s and in 2008, before finally closing in 2014 due to falling pupil numbers.

Residents and councillors have campaigned for a school at the site ever since.

Among those keen to see education continue on the site was former councillor Nigel Offen, who died last month.

Mrs Barton said: “We are thrilled at this positive outcome.

“This is something Nigel and I fought for for well over eight years and it is a fitting tribute we have confirmation a secondary school will be maintained in the site.”