STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James is to host an update meeting on the future of the old Longlands School site next week.

Residents and people concerned about the derelict Brook Street school site, which has become a target for vandals, are invited to attend the meeting at Greenfield Primary School, Hill Street, on Friday November 28, at 6pm.

Concerned members of the public were told at an initial meeting called by Tory MP Ms James in July that plans were being worked up in 2013 to build up to 40 new homes on the site, much of which is owned by Birmingham Metropolitan College.

But preserving the 1912 quadrangle part of the school, which is locally listed in Dudley, would reduce the site’s worth by £1million.

Since the July meeting, B-MET bosses have reportedly met with Dudley planners to discuss development options for the site, which was home to Stourbridge College's art and design students until it was mothballed in 2011, and Dudley Council has compiled a report to identify opportunities and possible constraints.

Ms James said: "B-MET's architects are in the process of considering all development possibilities for the site's future. Their plans will include an area of land set aside as community space for use by children at Greenfield Primary School. They are also considering whether any of existing Longlands buildings can be retained as part of a viable development scheme, although there is no guarantee that the will be possible."

She added: "B-MET also cleared the site over the summer and police stepped up patrols to combat anti-social behaviour. The results of these actions has been a considerable decline in crime at Longlands, although incidents are unlikely to have ceased entirely."

Members of the public can find out more about the development plans at next week's meeting.

But a full consultation with ward councillors and residents has been promised before B-MET presses ahead and sells off the site which, according to the MP, has four developers interested in acquiring it.