Plans for a brand new, 630-place Primary School and 188 residential dwellings, refused by Mendip District Council back in 2016, are re-emerging, with a new site chosen this time – off of Silver Street, Midsomer Norton, next to the town’s Rugby Club. Residents are invited to view the new plans, (which have not yet confirmed the number of houses, but include ‘additional’ development) at the Town Hall on Thursday, 25th January, between 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

This time around, the boundary means that the proposed development will fall in B&NES, rather than Mendip, (the previous development was to link up to the current Barratt Homes, Beecham Place site), and it was B&NES Council that originally approached the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership to put forward a bid to the Government for a new primary school, calculating a shortfall of spaces by last year, due to development in the area and increased birth rates.

Such a large, proposed development prompted concern from locals, including a local doctor, who spoke out about the ability to cope with so many new residents coming to the town. Midsomer Norton Town Council also spoke about the need to completely upgrade Silver Street as a result.

The new Silver Street plans, include a care home (dropped due to viability at Beecham Place) and sheltered housing alongside the new primary school. There are proposed improvements to the local highway as a result, with traffic calming, public open space and footpaths put forward.

The plans will also be available to view online at: www.nortonhillschooldevelopment.co.uk which will go live on 25th January. Following the consultation event, an outline planning application will be submitted to B&NES Council, as the local planning authority.

Subject to planning, the school would be expected to open in September 2020 for Reception pupils.

The proposed development is being brought forward by LocatED, on behalf of the Department for Education and landowner, Strategic Land Partnerships. Will Attlee, Acquisitions Manager from LocatED, said: “Providing a new primary school is critical to meet the demand for additional pupil places in the area.

“This site has been identified for educational use in the adopted Local Plan, and is the best option for delivering a new school to meet this local need.”

Dr Mark Thompson, Deputy CEO of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, added: “There are around 2,500 new houses currently being built or about to be built across the whole of the Somer Valley and these will naturally attract many new families to the area.

“There are already some really strong schools locally and of course, parents will want their children to have access to a high quality education. We now have the chance to meet this new demand and at the same time to add something really special.”

Simon Steele-Perkins, from Strategic Land Partnerships said: “We are very pleased to be working with LocatED, the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership the Council and the Town Council to bring this project forward.

“It will deliver not just the urgently needed new school, but also locally needed new homes, affordable homes and housing for the elderly, as well as improvements to Silver Street which we know have been a local priority for many years.”