PLANS to replace an arson-hit former special school in Burnley with housing have now been unveiled.

A total of 24 new homes could be built on the site of the old Ridgewood Community High if outline proposals by architects are given the go-ahead.

Earlier this month, the March Street complex was wrecked by a major fire, smoke from which could be seen across the borough.

County council officials confirmed to the Lancashire Telegraph in April that the buildings would eventually be razed.

But after the huge blaze engulfed the former special school, community leaders complained that something could have been done with the site beforehand. County councillor Dr Misfar Hassan said that there had been approaches from Blackburn-based Tauheedul School and the nearby Pennine Lancashire Community Farm, but these had been rejected by the authority.

Even in their appraisal of the site, drawn up before the arson attack, supporters of the scheme admitted the land had become ‘a major health and safety concern’.

Under the new application, it is envisaged there would be an initial cul-de-sac of six semi-detached homes, with the entrance road taken from Oswald Street. The remaining 18 properties, each with their own gardens and driveways, would be set further back, according to a scheme drawn up by county agents Cassidy and Ashton Group.

Architect Alban Cassidy said: “The site currently consists of vacant school buildings which are set out in two rectangular blocks linked together by a single corridor.

“The buildings are dated and utilitarian in appearance.

“The site has been vacant for a number of years and so has now become a major health and safety concern.”

The site is located close to both the Pennine Lancashire Community Farm and Stoneyholme Primary School.