WORK to prepare for the demolition of Albert Road Junior School in Ramsey will start tomorrow (Monday).

Contractors will move in to begin stripping out the building before physical demolition takes place. The process will take three months to complete.

The school, which opened in 1905, was replaced with the modern, environmentally friendly building Scoill Ree Gorree (King Orry’s School) on the Lezayre Road which opened in 2008.

The old school has been closed and windows and doors boarded up for more than two and a half years.

Government departments and Ramsey Town Commissioners are working in partnership to consider redevelopment plans for the site including sheltered housing.

The site is also being considered for "affordable housing".

The demolition contract includes work for forming a temporary public car park and the commissioners will be submitting a planning application for 65 spaces.

If the application is successful the car park will only be in operation until construction begins on redevelopment of the site which it is hoped will be in about two years time.

Temporary arrangements are being made for the location of the Farmers' Market which will return to Albert Road following the completion of the demolition contract.

Social Care Minister Martyn Quayle MHK said: "I view the demolition of the old Albert Road School not as the end but as the beginning of the new use of this site for affordable housing and other amenities for the good of the people of Ramsey and the north. 

"Government has an ambitious programme of housing across the Island costing £130m over the next five years.

"I am sure the re-development of this site in the heart of Ramsey will be a key component of this programme.

"I look forward to working with Ramsey Commissioners and others in our community to make best use of this important site."