Proposals for a new primary school to serve Orchard Grove moved a step closer to becoming a reality this week.
On Wednesday, January 20, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet unanimously backed recommendations to deliver a new 420-place primary school, as well as a nursery with capacity for up to 60 children, at the Orchard Grove housing development in Comeytrowe.
The investment in the new school will enable Somerset County Council to meet the expected demand for school spaces projected from new homes being built in the south west of Taunton.
The Comeytrowe development will eventually see 2,000 homes delivered on the site by 2028. The developer has an ambitious trajectory, and this will enable the delivery of a new school for September 2022 if required at that point.
The proposal is for a 14-class primary school, built with the potential to expand at a later date if necessary.
Cllr Faye Purbrick, Somerset County Council Cabinet member for Education and Transformation said: “I am delighted that we have been able to bring forward this project for another new school in Somerset.
“Developing a Comeytrowe school to meet the demand from expected new housing is something that has been on the table about for many years and is now moving quickly in the right direction.
“The existing school places in the area would not meet the demand created by the Orchard Grove development so this new school is required. Somerset County Council has been praised by the Government for its school building programme and we are confident in delivering another excellent educational facility for our community.”
The school buildings and facilities will be designed to minimise any environmental impact, and because it will serve the local community, pupils will be encouraged to walk or cycle to school as much as possible.
*Please note: all information is correct at the time of being published but timings may be subject to change*
Recent Comments