LAND at Belfairs High School will not be sold off for housing when its £31million new building is complete, Southend Council has promised.

Tory Belfairs councillor Steve Aylen asked at a full council meeting whether there is any intention to sell land off for housing or any other development.

His intervention came as work on the new school building, concentrated at the front of the existing school site, nears completion.

The striking new building replaces eight other blocks, many made up of three-storeys, which leaves vast part of the campus undeveloped.

Mr Aylen said some neighbours living near the school in Highlands Boulevard have been concerned about development of the site.

He asked Roger Hadley, Conservative councillor for schools, for assurance no part of the site “has or will in the future be sold off for housing or any other development” at the full council meeting.

Mr Hadley replied: “The land is owned by the school governing body, not the council.

“There are no plans to dispose of any part of the Belfairs High School site.”

Mr Aylen said afterwards: “There’s been lots of fears.

“People are suspicious.

“What nobody can understand is why the school is being built so close to the road.“ Steve Smith, the school’s director of facilities, resources and services, said: “There are no plans to dispose of any part of the Belfairs High School site.

“Our new building will provide an improved landscape that will enhance the school environment and contribute to the high levels of well-being that students, staff and visitors feel when they attend the school.”

Because the school owns the land, its board of directors would have the power to sell parts of it, but the council can refuse any plans for housing which come forward.

The new two-storey building is due to open in September by which time the old school, which was built in eight blocks, will be demolished and the land added to the playing fields.

The expanded playing fields will be used for sports pitches and a running track.