From today (Monday 8 March), members of the public are invited to have their say on proposals for a new 14-class primary school to serve the Orchard Grove housing development in Comeytrowe, Taunton.
This follows the unanimous backing by Somerset County Council’s Cabinet on 20 January of proposals for a new 420-place primary school and 60-place pre-school.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a stakeholder engagement event cannot be held as it usually would when a new school is proposed. Instead, indicative floor plans have been published online, along with a short questionnaire to include an opportunity to request to speak with someone from Somerset County Council about the proposals. This is available at: https://somerset.inconsult.uk/Proposed_Primary_School
The consultation will run between Monday 8 March and Friday 9 April.
Anyone with specific questions requiring a response is encouraged to email EducationPartnerships@somerset.gov.uk or send them in writing to ‘Comeytrowe School Consultation, Somerset County Council, County Hall, The Crescent, Taunton TA1 4DY.’
Cllr Faye Purbrick, Somerset County Council Cabinet member for Education and Transformation said: “I encourage people to have their say on the Council’s proposals for this new school in Somerset.
“Developing a school in Comeytrowe 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 investment will enable Somerset County Council to meet the expected demand for school spaces projected from 2,000 new homes being built in the south west of Taunton by 2028. Delivery of the new school is planned for September 2023.