THE site of former special educational needs school Ysgol Maes Dyfan is to be turned into a residential development – subject to planning approval.

The Vale Council and Persimmon Homes have exchanged conditional contracts for a new residential development, on the 3.67 acre Gibbonsdown site.

The land was recently marketed as a housing development opportunity by agents Rawlins and Madley and leading national house builder Persimmon Homes was selected as the preferred bidder.

The school closed last year with pupils and staff now attending school at the Penarth Learning Community.

Persimmon have submitted two planning applications for Phases One and Two of a new two phased housing development comprising a mix of both private and affordable homes, which members of the public will be able to view at the Council’s Docks Offices or on the Council’s website.

Vale Council leader, Cllr Neil Moore, said he was very pleased Persimmon Homes had committed to delivering this much needed investment to the area.

He said: “Their redevelopment proposals for the site will need to be carefully considered by the Council in its role as Local Planning Authority and will of course be subject to community consultation. However, if approved, this scheme will help to regenerate the land being vacated by the school and provide new affordable and private homes for the area, as well as creating a number of construction jobs.”

A Persimmon Homes spokesman said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as preferred bidder for this project which will enable us to continue with our increased investment in the area and help to stimulate economic growth. We have always worked successfully with the Vale of Glamorgan Council on other projects and look forward to bringing this scheme to fruition in the spring of 2015.”

For details, visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/planning