A FORMER school site in Swanage could be converted into a residential development with 30 new homes if plans are approved.

Developers have submitted proposals to Purbeck District Council for the former St Mary’s School site in Manor Road.

The proposed development would see an existing school building converted into affordable flats and new houses built.

Part of the scheme would involve the restoration of a listed rotunda on the neighbouring Purbeck House Hotel site. The rotunda is accessible to the public from Manor Road.

A raised water tank is proposed to be demolished as it would restrict emergency vehicle access into the site.

Western Design Architects (WDA), which has compiled a design and access statement on behalf of Bracken Developments, said removing the water tank would “better reveal the significance of the summer house as an isolated 18th century garden structure on the skyline”.

Architects envision three different “architectural character zones” for the proposed development which aims to be “high quality” and “in response to the Purbeck House Hotel, curtilage and gardens”.

“The proposal is for contemporary vernacular homes to be sympathetically detailed in the style of the better developments seen over recent years in the town,” WDA says in its design statement.

Each of the 19 houses would have two parking spaces, and the affordable flats would have 51 unallocated spaces and visitor parking.

Commenting on the layout of the scheme, WDA says: “The site will never be experienced in one whole scene but through a series of moments throughout the site from car or by foot.

“The journey around the site has been the catalyst for the architectural narrative. Important focal points have been identified to navigate the residents and enhance architectural interests.

“The existing site topography has informed the different site characters: Hilltop Courtyard, Suburban Terrace and Garden Courtyard.”

Purbeck District Council is set to decide whether or not to grant the scheme planning permission.