PLANS to transform part of a school and a former convent into a home have been approved.

An application was made to Maldon District Council in December to turn the historic St Francis Convent, in West Chase, Maldon, into a house.

The Grade II listed Victorian property is owned by the Franciscan Sisters Minoress and used by St Francis School, though historically it was previously a home.

It was bought by the Franciscan Convent in 1955 from Maldon Borough Council, who were using the building as five flats, and transformed into a convent and school in 1957.

It was built in 1880 by John Granger Sadd, of John Sadd & Sons.

The building is now rarely used by the school, and a council heritage statement found it to be “unsuitable for modern educational needs”.

Planners at Maldon District Council have now approved the bid saying it would be “acceptable in principle” and would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

The decision added the public benefits would outweigh the less than substantial harm to the listed building.