DERELICT parts of the former Leigh Church of England High School have been denied a new lease of life as a complex of plush flats for the second time.

A run-down two-storey block of former classrooms at the Kings Park Christian Centre in Leigh Road would have been converted into two semi-detached bungalows under the plans.

But councillors turned down the proposals on green belt reasons -- contrary to the advice of council planners who had recommended the plans be approved.

Residents had also wrote letters in support of the scheme. One resident wrote: "We are quite confident that private residential development offers the best hope in making our locality a safer and more attractive area to live and visit."

A former music room would have been changed into a plush complex of 12 flats -- eight two-bedroom and four single bedroomed apartments -- under the plans.

The buildings have been derelict since the school closed a decade ago and have been regularly targeted by vandals.

Both buildings would also have been re-roofed and 26 new parking spaces would have been created inside the complex off Old Hall Mill Lane.

The new development would also have become more security minded. A landscaped communal garden and patio area including a two metre high screen wall and electrically controlled steel gates were all included in the proposals.

The existing link to the main school building was to be demolished.

The plans -- lodged by Leigh-based construction company Redwaters Ltd -- were originally refused by councillors in February.

The proposals were changed second-time around to include pitched roofs and disconnection of the two the buildings.

A council spokesman had advised: "The proposals will greatly enhance the visual appearance of this part of the site which will benefit the area by reusing buildings which are currently in poor condition and prone to vandalism."