A FORMER Hampshire art gallery which has become a target for vandals since it closed nearly six years ago could be set for a new lease of life.

The Beatrice Royal Art Gallery became the largest gallery in the south, doubling its 5,000 square feet size in 1999 after a £1m lottery grant, but in 2003 the gallery, on the edge of Eastleigh’s giant Aviary Estate, suddenly closed after running into a cash crisis.

Since then the Nightingale Avenue building has become a sorry sight with its smashed windows.

A religious community could now become the saviours of the gallery which was once a church. Next week councillors will be asked to give temporary permission for the Allbrook Education Trust to use it as a school.

They are asking for temporary permission for five years and would have 70 pupils and seven teaching and support staff. The school would be open from 8am to 4pm.

Part of the planning application includes a travel plan in which pupils would be ferried to the school by coaches and minibuses and there would also be a car sharing scheme.

In a report to councillors, planning officer Ruth Harding says: “The art gallery building has been vacant since 2003 and is now clearly falling into disrepair and being subjected to acts of an antisocial behaviour and vandalism.

“The building is a distinctive feature in the street scene and despite its physical deterioration is not unattractive in its setting.

“This proposal would breathe life back into a vacant and semi-derelict building and while not secure its future in perpetuity would halt its physical deterioration and help remove it as a target for anti-social behaviour to the benefit of the community.”

Nearly a year ago a move to build 34 two bedroom flats on the site was rejected after a planning appeal.