A DISUSED grammar school could return to educational use as its owners battle for long term planning permission.

The historic Swanage Grammar School site has been empty for several years while its owners, Welfare Dwellings Trust, attempt to push through plans to turn it into assisted living accommodation.

Agents Sibley Gregory are about to fight their fourth planning appeal after Purbeck District Council dismissed the latest plans earlier this year, saying the scheme would have an adverse impact on the area.

Now, Sibley Gregory are looking for short term tenants for the Northbrook Road site to stop it deteriorating into an eyesore.

Planning director Malcolm Brown said: "Basically the planning is taking too long to sort on the site, so we're trying to find a tenant to keep the building used and keep the weather out.

"We're trying to find a tenant within the existing permitted use, which is basically some sort of educational use."

The school closed back in the 1970s and since then plans to turn it into holiday flats, a health club and accommodation for the elderly have all failed.

Mr Brown added: "We don't want the building to fall to bits any more than the local residents do."

The planning department at the district council said its stance was clear on the site and they awaited the outcome of the latest appeal.

The main grammar school building dates from the 1920s and has been temporarily used as an educational and training centre since its closure in the 1970s.