Residents of Bishops Lydeard, a rapidly expanding village near Taunton, have received a much-anticipated early Christmas gift: local councillors have approved a £370,000 expansion project for the village nursery.
The existing nursery at Bishops Lydeard Church School on Mount Street has struggled with high demand in recent years, forcing some parents to join waiting lists and others to be turned away due to limited space.
Rachel Gilmour, the Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has been a vocal advocate for increasing nursery provision. She successfully campaigned to secure £100,000 from developers’ community infrastructure levies (CIL) to support the expansion. The funding will be managed in collaboration with the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust, which oversees both the nursery and primary school.
READ MORE: One of the UK’s Rarest Plants Rescued from Somerset Footpath
READ MORE: Somerset Hunt Responds to Concerns Over Boxing Day Event Safety and Hygiene
Bishops Lydeard Parish Council’s recent approval of this funding now paves the way for construction to begin as early as February 2026.
The village has experienced notable residential growth, spearheaded by developments such as the Moorland Gate estate by David Wilson Homes, which added 173 homes near the village’s southern entrance. Moreover, Cavanna Homes plans to build up to 130 additional houses near Greenway Road, close to the West Somerset Railway terminus.
Funding for community facilities like nurseries often comes through Section 106 agreements and the CIL, the latter allowing funds to be pooled and allocated to significant projects. Parish councils keep a share of CIL funds from local developments, using them for improvements like the nursery expansion.
Originally, £100,000 of CIL funding was set aside for equipping the new nursery within ‘The Old School House’ near the current location. After months of delays, the Parish Council’s decision on December 10 to release the funds marks a crucial milestone. The total cost of the project is estimated at £370,000.
Alongside local funding, the school has applied to the Department for Education (DfE) for additional support, with an announcement expected by April 2026. Even if this application is unsuccessful, the multi-academy trust has increased its own contribution from £150,000 to £220,000, leaving just £50,000 to cover.
Mrs. Gilmour expressed her delight over the progress, reaffirming her commitment to ensure the nursery opens by September 2026. She said, “This is absolutely wonderful news for the local community in and around Bishops Lydeard. Families will soon benefit from wraparound care at the much-needed new nursery. I’m grateful to the parish council for releasing the funds to start this project and will continue supporting the school to bring this vision to life.”
Phil Durban of the Bishops Lydeard Residents Action Group called the announcement “the best Christmas present” for local families. Highlighting the concerted effort over 18 months, he praised the MP and community members for their perseverance. However, he also called for faster access to CIL funds in the future to prevent delays and increased costs, noting the impact prolonged decision-making has had on build costs and waiting lists.
With housing developments continuing to reshape the village, this project marks a crucial step toward meeting the needs of Bishops Lydeard’s growing number of young families.