A Southport Grade II listed former school building will be converted into flats and houses.Thirteen homes will be built on the site of the former Sunnymede site in Birkdale after planning officials have approved proposals.The building, on Westcliffe Road, will undergo refurbishment and conversion into six self contained apartments and a further seven new houses will be built in two terraces following the demolition of headmaster’s house, temporary school buildings and outbuildings.Sunnymede School closed in the summer of 2010, just months after celebrating its 50 year anniversary. Before closing, it was Southport’s only independent school but has been empty ever since.Five objections were received against the plans, including from preservation group The Victorian Society.However, the plans were given the green light by Sefton Council’s Chief Planning Officer, subject to a number of conditions, including the preservation of several aspects of the original building.