A new vision has emerged for a prized redevelopment site boasting frontline sea views.

The housing scheme is being considered for the former Laleham Gap School in South Cliff Parade, Broadstairs, which closed in 2016 and was left abandoned.

The school relocated to Ozengell Place in Ramsgate, and Kent County Council is now in the process of selling the old site to a developer, who is applying for planning permission for 10 luxury homes.

Structural engineers say the old building is in a state of “extensive dilapidation” and its demolition and replacement with new buildings is considered more suitable.

One of the main considerations has been the numerous trees on the site which had been protected by a temporary blanket preservation order.

Now a new layout has been prepared and agreed which retains many of the mature trees.

The detailed application by GSE Broadstairs is for 10 contemporary houses up to three storeys high. Nine will be four-beds and there will be one three-bed.

They say it is the result of a team effort by architects, planners, ecologists, arboriculturists, engineers, developers and surveyors.

“Each of the dwellings is to be set apart from one another within generous plots to allow for landscape features between each, fostering the existing appearance of a green site,” say agents for GSE.

“We consider the proposals presented avoid any perceived impact on neighbouring dwellings or plots, and will blend well with the scale, massing and appearance of the context.

“We have also attempted to offer an exciting set of well-designed homes that will meet with the expectations associated with such a prominent and important site.”

The planned redevelopment is in an area of High Townscape Value and the scheme has been given the blessing of the Broadstairs Society but is still awaiting the formal approval of Thanet District Council.

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: ”Kent County Council still currently owns the site, which is surplus to its operational requirements and therefore the council has been progressing with its disposal process .

“We are unable to provide any commentary on commercially sensitive matters.”