WILTSHIRE Council are expected to maximise the sale of the former St Peter’s School and accept the highest amount possible from developers.

Cllr Mervyn Hall of Marlborough Town Council would prefer the redevelopment of the site off The Parade to be mixed housing with affordable housing making up 40 percent of the conversion.

The Grade II listed building built in 1904 could be converted into flats with housing or more apartments constructed on the playground area. Cllr Hall He fears that if developers decide on a retirement complex then they do not have to provide affordable housing but pay what is known as 106 money, although this is not always the case. The council had presented a case to Wiltshire expressing the view the town needed more affordable housing as there was resistance from residents to more retirement developments.

Some of the cash from the sale is earmarked for the financing of the new school at Marlborough St Mary’s.