A former college in St Neots which fell into disrepair following a fire is to get a new lease of life under plans submitted by Cambridgeshire County Council.

The authority plans to transform part of the former Huntingdon Regional College site, in Almond Road, replacing it with a brand new extension.

The extension will house pupils from the Hartford Special School, which is re-locating to a purpose-built building in St Neots in order to meet higher standards now required of such facilities.

The revamped facility will also be home to a pre-school.

Under the plans, part of the existing building will be demolished and re-built with the parts that are being retained being refurbished.

Borras Construction, acting for the county council, said in its planning application: “The existing building is currently unoccupied, with the eastern part of the building being subject to fire damage in the past.

“As a result, part of the building is in a poor state of repair. In terms of the overall appearance of the site, existing landscaping is now overgrown in places, owing to poor maintenance.

“Overall, the proposals will result in the provision of refurbished classroom space for 60 pupils aged between 11-16 years within a new SEN School. The SEN facility will also cater for 40 staff, and will continue to perform an important regional function, serving pupils with additional support needs throughout the wider county.

“The proposed extension to the premises, and formation of a new pre-school, will provide space for children aged 2-5 years locally, catering for approximately 90 pupils and 15 staff.”

When it was part of Huntingdon Regional College, the Almond Road site catered for up to 150 pupils and employed 32 members of staff. The college moved premises in 2012, however, with students transferring to classrooms in California Road, in St Neots.