Work has started on transforming a former Felixstowe school for a scheme to deliver more housing and leisure opportunities in the town.

Builders have move don to the Deben High site to demolish a large part of the former school buildings to accommodate a new leisure and housing development.

The original lower school assembly hall will be retained as a community asset, marking and celebrating the site's former heritage.

Contractor, Clarkes Demolition Company, based in Kesgrave was appointed to undertake the demolition and over 90% of the materials will be recycled.

Once completed, the next step will see work start on the Housing Phase by the end of 2021 and the whole development is expected to be completed by 2023 (subject to work schedule info).

The site was transferred to East Suffolk Council from Suffolk County Council last year and will facilitate the ongoing development of Felixstowe Sports Hub and a new home for Felixstowe Indoor Bowls Club and Felixstowe and Corinthians Cricket Club.

The development will also include new housing, in particular affordable homes for the town. In total, 61 new homes will be built to PassivHaus standard, comprising of 32 affordable rented, 10 shared ownership and 19 open market homes, this equates to a 69% affordable homes contribution.

The designs for the properties meet the changing needs of modern living, with the majority being south facing to help reduce energy bills and will have some home-working or office spaces as well as access to outside space either in the form of rear gardens, communal gardens or balconies.

Green spaces have been designed to connect the proposed development to the surrounding community, walking links are proposed between the new development and the park at Valley Walk. The former Assembly Hall will be retained as a community space, with the striking clock tower visible from Garrison Lane.

Cllr Steve Gallant, Leader of East Suffolk Council, said: "This scheme is hugely exciting for both Felixstowe and for the Council, so it is fantastic to see the first phase of work starting on the site.

"We're committed to increasing leisure opportunities in the town and to improve the housing mix and this development will help us fulfil our ambitions on two important fronts."

Former Deben School plans revealed.