THE owners of a site which was destroyed by fire have said they will try to keep disruption to local residents to a minimum.

Solicitors acting for Eastward Properties Limited, which owns the former Harwich County Primary School site, in Main Road, Harwich, contacted the Gazette to keep the community up-to-date with its plans following Wednesday morning's blaze.

In a statement they said: "The company recognises that the fire will have an effect on the immediately surrounding area and is putting out this statement to provide information about it's current and future intentions for the site and to assure local residents that the company will make every effort to ensure any disruption caused by the fire is kept to a minimum.

"The site is currently awaiting the approval of a planning application for the construction of a block of apartments, some of which will be affordable housing for essential local workers.

"By its nature, that planning process can take some considerable time but the company has made every effort to ensure the process moves forward as quickly as possible so that the site can become an asset, enhancing the area and improving the availability of modern local accommodation."

The statement continued: "The company understands that, although it can have no influence over either the timing or granting of planning consent, the process is now reaching its final stages and has a reasonable expectation that consent will be granted and that the site can be developed.

"Until such permission has been granted there is little the company can do, however if and when consent is granted the company intends to press forward with facilitating the development as quickly as possible."