A COUNCILLOR has held a 'constructive' meeting with the Mereside Education Trust ahead of its school opening at Hartford Manor later this year.

The sale of the site to the trust was confirmed in January, and the school will open in September for members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church aged from seven to 18.

Cheshire West and Chester Council gave planning permission for the site, which includes the Grade II-listed manor, to be converted into either 57 homes or the Mereside school last May.

Cllr Kevin Rimmer met with a trust representative and reported back to Northwich Town Council.

He said: "I told him there are a lot of concerns – it was a good constructive honest meeting.

"At least it puts the site to good use. It’s not going to go to rack and ruin. They have said that going forward they'll be looking to get involved with the comm-unity and give something back."

Cllr Rimmer said children will come from across the region in minibuses, with national curriculum teaching for the 115 students.

At a previous meeting, he told members that ‘none of the big housing developers’ had wanted to develop Hartford Manor as a residential site despite planning permission being granted.

A Plymouth Brethren Christian Church spokesman said in January: “The new facility will provide enhanced facilities in line with our overall global vision and ensure we continue to offer an outstanding learning experience based on a modern curriculum.”