A new school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) at the long-closed school could be open within two years.
It was revealed to the Gazette last month that the current owners, Warwickshire College Group (WCG) were expecting to complete the college sale to a specialist education provider in January.
However, a WCG spokesperson has since told the Gazette that, while the sale is progressing, it has been delayed as the college needs to submit a formal deed of variation for approval by the county council.
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The spokesperson added that the council is supportive so it expects progress on the sale soon.
The group has been taking steps to vacate the property for the new owners.
A large skip and removal trucks have been seen on the Albert Road site in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for WCG said: “The sale of Malvern Hills College is progressing but has been delayed because the college needs to submit a formal deed of variation for approval by the county council.
“The council is supportive and can process this quickly once the request is properly framed, so we expect progress soon.”
Cllr Clive Hooper had discussions with the prospective purchaser of the site in his role as vice president of the Malvern Civic Society.
He told the Gazette the intention is to open a 120-place SEND day school in 2026.
He added the mooted new owners are a Certified B Corporation and therefore legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on all stakeholders, customers, workers and communities.
As of January 2023, 1,197 children living in Malvern require SEND Support and 623 have an Education Health and Care Plan.
In November 2020, Warwickshire Colleges Group (WCG) announced Malvern Hills College, incorporating Malvern School of Art, would be closing in the following July.
In June 2023, campaigners were ‘devastated’ after a judge ordered Malvern Hills District Council to remove a legal agreement which meant the site could only be used for education.
The college is listed as an ‘asset of community value’.