Construction is poised to begin on a new £7.7 million primary school in Bridgwater, following approval from Somerset Council officers.
Bloor Homes South West secured planning permission for the third phase of the Wilstock Village development—which includes 248 homes, a community hub, and a primary school—in July 2018 from Sedgemoor District Council. Most of the housing has now been completed, but local children currently attend Somerset Bridge Primary School in nearby Stockmoor Village or other distant schools.
Since April 2023, Somerset Council has taken over district council responsibilities and confirmed in March that the new school will be built on Cosmos Drive at the southern edge of Wilstock Village. It will provide space for 210 pupils alongside a 40-place nursery, with designs allowing for future expansion as the community grows, following the model of Orchard Grove Primary School in Taunton.
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The school grounds will feature two large football pitches and outdoor play equipment, while maintaining the existing public right of way to Wilstock Lane. The nearby community hub, also part of Wilstock Village, received detailed planning consent in April 2023.
Helen Waring, from the council’s education places strategy team, emphasized the urgent need for the school due to ongoing and planned housing developments in Bridgwater and North Petherton. Current local schools are nearing full capacity, and new housing is expected to increase demand significantly.
Waring noted that North Petherton Community Primary School and Somerset Bridge Primary School have very limited availability and are forecasted to remain close to capacity for the foreseeable future. Many proposed developments fall outside the statutory two-mile walking distance to existing schools, making local provision crucial to avoid costly transport arrangements.
Additional developments, including proposals for 175 and 210 new homes in North Petherton’s catchment area, along with Bloor Homes South West’s plans for 225 homes north of Rhode Lane—within walking distance to the new school—underscore the rising demand for local education.
As of January 2025, there were 1,001 primary-age children in the North Petherton and Somerset Bridge catchment areas, but only 840 places available across the two local schools. For reception year alone, 169 children needed places, while only 120 spots were available.
The new school’s £7,742,000 budget will be fully funded by housing developers through the community infrastructure levy (CIL). Most of the funds are slated for spend in the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years, with the school expected to open its doors in September 2027.
Ms. Waring highlighted the broader benefits of improved access to education, including enhanced community safety, reduced low-level anti-social behaviour, and better long-term opportunities for children. The school’s proximity will encourage walking, cycling, or scootering, eliminating the need for transport arrangements and promoting healthier, more sustainable travel options for families.