A DERELICT children’s home could be replaced with a modern, three-storey, 61-bedroom care facility.

Limbourne House, next to Oakwood Infants School in Windsor Avenue, Clacton, was boarded up in April 2007, and has since been a target for vandals.

Essex County Council sold the site for £400,000, after declaring it surplus to requirements in June.

New owner, Silversprings Care, has submitted plans to demolish the two-storey building, which had just 16 bedrooms for children with learning disabilities, and an adjoining staff house.

In its place it would build a new home with a 21-space car park, a courtyard sensory garden and landscaping.

The proposal would create 11 full-time and 100 part-time jobs.

Architect Russ Drage, said: “The proposals bring a currently vacant site back into use, generating new local employment and removing an undesirable derelict building which has become the focus for antisocial behaviour.

“The redevelopment of Limbourne House provides a true regeneration opportunity for West Clacton.”

Mr Drage said the extra storey and larger floor area of the new building had been “carefully” considered to fit in with the surrounding residential area.

Tendring Council is expected to make a decision on the application by November 18.