THE future of the site of a York special school which is due to close in 2004 will be discussed by residents next week.

Possible uses for the site after the closure of Fulford Cross School are yet to be decided.

But a meeting has been planned for residents to question City of York Council officers from the leisure, education and planning departments.

Sheila Fletcher, neighbourhood co-ordinator for Fishergate ward which includes the school, said: "Residents in the area are keen to find out what could happen to the site of Fulford Cross School.

"The issue was raised at a recent ward committee and we have therefore organised this meeting to begin to explain what opportunities there are, but also the range of issues the council will need to consider.

"We anticipate that this is the beginning of a long process and that there will be further updates for residents at future ward committees."

The meeting will follow a tour of the site.

The proposed closure of the school is part of a reorganisation of special school provision in the city.

The proposals involve closing York's four existing schools and replacing them with two new special schools.

There will also be increased emphasis on including special needs pupils in mainstream schools, a move which the council claims has strong support from parents.

Part of the school site is covered by a conservation area, which will be a topic of debate at the meeting.

Residents are invited to attend the site visit, which starts at 6.30pm on Monday, September 23, and the debate at 7pm.

The school, which has more than 100 pupils aged from eight to 16, and teaches a wide curriculum, won beacon status from the Government in 2001 to mark its achievements.

The other schools set to close are Northfield, Lidgett Grove and Galtres.

Updated: 11:39 Friday, September 20, 2002