The former site of Richard Lander School in Truro looks set to be turned into houses.

Cornwall Council has reportedly accepted an offer for 18-acre plot at Highertown, which has been empty since the school moved to a new site elsewhere in the city, at Gloweth, four years ago.

It is understood developers Taylor Wimpey want to build homes, including affordable housing on the land, which currently does not have planning permission.

Officers from the council’s planning and regeneration department are said to be preparing a brief for the development.

Jim Currie, Cornwall Council's cabinet member for corporate resources, said: “This is one of the most important sites in Truro and it is essential that we make the best use of this land.”

He added that money produced from the sale of the site would help the council carry on providing “essential services” in the county. The figure paid by the developers has not been made public.

A spokesperson Taylor Wimpey said the exact number of homes to be built on the site was still under discussion with the council, but that the purchase was a “significant investment.”