Work is set to begin on the removal of a Basingstoke secondary school.

As part of the Winklebury regeneration project, the first phase of work removing the Fort Hill Community School site is due to start in the new year.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the decision to close the school was taken by Hampshire County Council based on the lack of pupils who had applied to join the school in the upcoming academic year.

Discussions into the future use of the Kenilworth Road site are ongoing, with investigations into possible future use of the school buildings, for community facilities or council services, were found to be unviable.

Hampshire County Council, which owns the site and buildings, has contracted demolition experts, Hampshire Environmental Services, to clear the school buildings ready for the site to be given a new lease of life for the benefit of the local community.

However, Winklebury ward councillor, Cllr Ruth Cooper said the whole community has been ‘disregarded’ when it comes to future plans.

Cllr Cooper said: “We've spoken to so many people who all say the same thing, it's a tragedy that Fort Hill is being demolished.

“It's a tragedy they closed the school in the first place, and here they are, piling on the bad decisions they've made with more bad news.

“We need to ensure we now work to get the right and positive outcome that benefits the residents of Winklebury.”

Following completion of all ecological, archaeological and health and safety investigations, the county council has confirmed that demolition specialists will be on site from January 2 until May 31.

Executive lead member for children’s services at the county council, Cllr Keith Mans, said: “We remain committed to working in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the Winklebury Regeneration Partnership Group, the wider community and other stakeholders to identify an option for the site’s use that will have the most positive impact on the area’s regeneration and its community.

“I can confirm that alternate options for the future use of the site are still being explored and considered, so residents should be assured that no decisions about plans for the future have been made.”