A FORMER school is being sold for £520,000 to create a new doctor’s surgery.

Thurrock Council’s cabinet agreed to sell the former Graham James Infant School, in Corringham, to Dr Devaraja.

Leader of the council Cllr John Kent said the authority was more interested in doing the right thing for the community than making money by selling it to a housing developers.

He said: “The council could have decided to sell off the land to developers for housing and rake in the monetary rewards.

“But instead it has chosen to work with a local doctor and the health service to create a brand new community health facility.”

The infant school, in The Sorrells, closed in 1991 when it amalgamated with the junior school to create a primary.

The building was declared surplus to requirements and made available in 2003.

Part of it was used as a community hall for disabled people in 2004.

In 2005 the cabinet agreed to sell the remainder of the site to Dr Devaraja, but the plan was held up by the Primary Care Trust. Cllr Kent said the building is a good example of how the council plans to deal with its assets in the future.

He said: “This scheme should be seen as the blueprint for the way we’re going to deal with our assets in future.

“We will look at each one carefully, we will talk with local people and partners, and then we’ll make a decision; a decision based on what is best for local people and not what is best for the council’s coffers.”

The sale is now subject to the final agreement of the PCT.