FRESH plans to restore Homefield School to its “former glory” will be submitted to Christchurch Borough Council this week by its new owners.

Bournemouth-based Quantum Lifecare acquired the former private school last year from Haxted Estates and Parkridge Care and say they plan to submit a new scheme for the dilapidated site consisting of a care home, care cottages and provision for affordable housing.

The Winkton school closed in 2005, nearly £1million in debt and since then has been haunted by years of delays and disappointment as various different applications have failed due to the complex nature of the land the school lies upon – in a conservation area on green belt land.

The most recent application, which was approved in 2009, was for a 64-bed care home including 27 independent living units, with work due to start last autumn.

Henry Lumby, a partner at Quantum Lifecare, in Charminster Road said the company had erected large green panels around the entrance to the school to prevent vandals breaking into the rundown property.

Vandalism and trespassing has been a continuing problem with local residents keen to see something done with the property to prevent further damage.

Mr Lumby said: “Our plan is to bring the site back to life. We want to bring the school back to its former glory.”

Judy Jamieson, chairman of Burton Parish Council said: “We understand the site has been sold on again and we hope that the new owners will be sensitive to the local village and the population.”

County councillor for Burton, David Jones added: “The site needs developing.

“In its present state I am unhappy and I would hope that the application for which they have planning permission will be built or hope they will come forward with another.”