Residents of Bishops Lydeard, a rapidly expanding village near Taunton, are set to benefit from a new £370,000 nursery thanks to a recent decision by local councillors to move the project forward.
The village’s existing nursery at Bishops Lydeard Church School, located on Mount Street, has been overwhelmed by demand in recent years, with many local children placed on waiting lists or turned away due to limited capacity.
Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, has been a key advocate for improving childcare facilities in the area. Working closely with the Bath & Wells Multi Academy Trust—which oversees the nursery and primary school—she successfully campaigned to allocate £100,000 of community infrastructure levy (CIL) funding from local housing developers towards expanding nursery provision.
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The parish council has now approved the use of these funds, allowing construction to begin as early as February 2026. This comes amidst significant housing growth: David Wilson Homes has developed the Moorland Gate estate with 173 homes on the village’s southern edge, and Cavanna Homes has proposed up to 130 additional homes near Greenway Road.
Developers contribute to local infrastructure through Section 106 agreements and the CIL, which parish councils can use to fund community projects. Bishops Lydeard Parish Council retains 15% of CIL funds, enabling investment in facilities like the new nursery.
The project plans include developing ‘The Old School House’ near the existing nursery site to create the expanded facility. Although the primary school has applied to the Department for Education for additional funding—a decision expected by April 2026—the multi-academy trust has increased its match funding from £150,000 to £220,000 to ensure the project can begin regardless.
Mrs Gilmour expressed her enthusiasm: “This is absolutely wonderful news for the local community. If all goes to plan, children and families will benefit from wraparound care at the new nursery by September 2026. I am grateful to the parish council for their support and will continue advocating for timely funding to make this project a reality.”
Phil Durban, representing the Bishops Lydeard Residents Action Group, echoed the community’s excitement but emphasized the need for faster access to CIL funds in the future to keep pace with housing development and childcare demand.
After 18 months of persistent campaigning by the MP, parents, and residents, the village is finally on course to welcome its new nursery, providing essential early years care for the expanding local population.