A CONTROVERSIAL development of new homes on former school land in Billericay will soon get under way.

Banner Homes is building 51 new properties in Bell Hill Close, just off Noak Hill Road, on a 4.2-acre site which used to belong to the Billericay School.

Another seven homes could also be built if Banner is granted permission by Basildon Council in March.

In January 2009, the school was granted outline planning permission for homes on the site, which it hoped would help fund a multi-million pound expansion, including a new sports centre.

The plans have courted controversy as the land is in a green belt area.

Concerns had been raised over the potential loss of habitat used by a animals, including badgers and reptiles, which live near the area.

The SOS Billericay group was also worried about the loss of green belt and extra traffic which would be caused by the development.

But Banner hopes plans to keep the wildlife in the area safe, by designating a strip of land for animals, will dampen any concerns.

All the money raised from the sale of the land, which was used by the school as a farm area, will be re-invested back into the school for its own redevelopment plans.

The development will be the first venture by Banner Homes in Essex.

Jenny Moore, Billericay School’s business manager, said: “The school is now embarking on its own exciting development plan, which will use the funds raised to extend and improve school facilities.

“We expect our new accommodation to be complete by the end of 2012.”

Work on building the homes is due to begin in May.