GILBERTS Hill School will be turned into residential flats, it was revealed today.

Stanton Fitzwarren-based developer Bower Mapson has come forward as the company chosen to refurbish the Old Town building.

Negotiations have been going on behind the scenes but the subject has yet to be brought to the attention of Swindon Council's cabinet.

The company confirmed it was expecting to buy the building. It approached the Evening Advertiser after we reported on Tuesday that the Victorian building will remain boarded up for another winter.

Swindon Council head of communications Claudia Dench told us on Tuesday that tenders were still being considered and no decision had been made. She refused to elaborate on the tender process.

But the council today admitted that a contract had been exchanged with Bower Mapson.

The move will anger groups who wanted the former school to be kept as a community facility but Bower Mapson says it will ensure the building is restored. It expects to create 10 flats on the site.

The company's designer, Peter Mapson, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by Swindon Council to generate a sensitive new life for this important building.

"Design work on Gilberts Hill School is presently well under way. This is a very special building and we are delighted to have the opportunity to restore it, retain its character and avoid its demolition."

Mr Mapson said the company's approach is to take care to reflect the individual setting of all its housing schemes.

A development of detached housing completed in Bishopstone by the company won Site Magazine's Best Luxury Site category in their UK Housebuilding 2001 Awards.

The company is presently working on a scheme for flats in High Street, Old Town, near the entrance to The Lawns.

Mr Mapson expects to be able formally to submit a detailed planning application for the Gilberts Hill building next month for its flats conversion.

The school in Dixon Street was closed last year and put up for sale on the open market.

The authority, which decided to shut it on the grounds of efficiency because of small pupil numbers and the high cost of keeping it open, announced it was inviting offers for the premises in July.

Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said: "A contract has been exchanged but it is subject to certain conditions and we are not prepared to comment any further because commercial negotiations are in progress."