ESSEX County Council is being urged to allow a free school to set up in a defunct Brentwood children’s home.

David Kendall, the Lib Dem Brentwood South councillor at County Hall, wants the council to consider allowing the school’s founders to set up in Leverton Hall, Dark Lane, Warley.

The Weekly News revealed last week how the Grove House School, a specialist free school for children aged nine to 19 with language and speech difficulties, is set to open in either Chelmsford or Brentwood after it got the go-ahead from the Government.

Officers at the county council are seeking permission to sell the building – which until June was a school and home for troubled children.

Mr Kendall was asked by the council last week what he thinks should happen to the site.

He said: “I think the old Leverton Hall site could be a great location.

“I am giving the parents my full support with trying to obtain the site.

“While some people might be concerned about the access issues in Dark Lane, the fact that the school would only be planning to take 100 pupils should ease some fears.”

Sally Lockyer, one of the Grove House School founders, is keen on the site. She said: “This is one of the sites on our shortlist.

“It would be a lovely building to keep in the community and it already has educational usage.”

The Department for Education’s funding team will meet founders next week before asking the council about available sites.

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: "The County Council will be considering a range of options for future use, including those expressed by interested parties."