Demolition work is set to begin next week on a former college centre for people with learning difficulties.

Eastern Daily Press: Plaxtole House is set to be demolished to make way for new homes. PHOTO: IAN BURTPlaxtole House is set to be demolished to make way for new homes. PHOTO: IAN BURT (Image: Archant © 2007)

Plaxtole House on Goodwins Road in King's Lynn was bought from the College of West Anglia by the local council for £500,000 in 2013, as part of a £1.6m package of cutbacks at the college.

Work to tear down the building will begin on October 31 and will take around 12 weeks to complete according to a letter sent out to nearby residents today.

A water spray will be in use to reduce dust levels, asbestos in the building will be removed by a specialist firm in a controlled environment.

The complex was set to close as part of cutbacks at the college.

Hundreds signed a petition to save the centre, which was used by 24 students, however once the sale of land was completed, the building was sold to Freebridge Community Housing in 2013.

On July 23, this year, Freebridge announced the college would be torn down to make way for new homes.

The housing provider said a new building had been found for the college's services which would continue as before.

Tony Hall, chief executive of Freebridge Community Housing, said: "With Plaxtole House having been empty for some time we are now looking to begin work on the site that will initially see the existing building demolished. Once the site has been cleared we will then put forward plans to build much needed, good quality homes."