Developers have revealed how a former primary school site could be knocked down and transformed into luxury housing and apartments.

The St Philip Howard School, in Avenue Road, was closed in July 2013 after the numbers of children attending fell.

Since then the buildings have remained empty, but in March the Gazette revealed developer Jenner had come forward with plans for the site’s future.

The company’s proposals will keep the Grade II listed Georgian block, which will be converted into a family town house.

But the Victorian and 1930s buildings to either side will be knocked down to make way for new townhouses, and a new apartment block will be built to the rear of the site overlooking Oxenden Square, where the old school playground lies.

Jenner Group’s managing director, Martin Sandall, said the development will be aimed at the high end of the property market.

He told the Gazette: “It will have a very contemporary feel. It is exactly what Herne Bay needs. It will provide regeneration with high-end housing stock that is only going to complement the area.

“The large classroom blocks on the site now are incredibly over-imposing. We are trying to stop all that. These enormous buildings have got to go, so that the street scene will benefit from their removal.”

Mr Sandall confirmed on Friday that contracts had finally been exchanged on the site, which could now trigger a public consultation.

Neighbours will be asked for their views on the scheme, which he hopes can be incorporated into a future planning application to Canterbury City Council.

Local campaigner and former councillor Vince McMahan said the news is a welcome change for a school which was “no longer fit for purpose”.

He said: “It will certainly enhance the street scene and the local area, so I’m all for it. I look forward to seeing how the site is developed, which will hopefully be sooner rather than later.”