The former Somerset Bridge Primary School site in Bridgwater is set to be transformed into a new development comprising homes and office space, following a recent approval by Somerset Council’s planning committee north. The school, located at the end of Hamp Bridge along the River Parrett, closed in 2010 when pupils moved to a new site on Stockmoor Drove. Since then, the site has remained vacant, especially after a damaging fire in September 2019 led to the demolition of most buildings.
Chippenham-based developer 3C Commercial Ltd. has been working for years to revitalize this brownfield site. Their latest plans, now approved, include 26 new homes and a two-story office block. Originally, the proposal featured 44 homes, but the number was reduced after extensive consultation with council planners to better fit the area’s needs.
Of the 26 homes, six will be affordable, fulfilling the council’s target of 15% affordable housing for developments of this scale in the former Sedgemoor area. Access to the new residences will be via Hamp Bridge, which will receive a new junction near the Stockmoor Rhyne pumping station, operated by the Environment Agency to help manage water levels.
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Homes will mostly be detached and sited on elevated ground to minimize flood risks, thanks to agreements with the Environment Agency and the Parrett Internal Drainage Board. The office block, offering 1,120 square meters of commercial space with accompanying parking, will be positioned near existing properties accessed from Old Basin via Squibbers Way.
Environmental improvements include the creation of new ponds near the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal and additional woodland planting to enhance the local landscape. The developer will also contribute over £16,000 towards local health services, including upgrades to the nearby Taunton Road Medical Centre.
Local councillors expressed mixed feelings during the May 13 planning meeting. Councillor Alan Bradford pointed to the long wait for a decision and highlighted previous challenges regarding access to the busy A38 road, which have now reportedly been addressed. He also noted growing pressures linked to housing supply and rising construction costs.
Councillor Kathy Pearce, representing the adjacent Bridgwater South division, shared nostalgic memories of the old school but voiced concerns over the narrow access road, describing the challenges faced by motorists and pedestrians on Hamp Bridge. She reflected on how the original school’s location was a product of a different era, before widespread car ownership.
Councillor Bill Filmer emphasized the importance of integrating the new development with the surrounding community through improved public rights of way, including the canal towpath, which is managed by the Canal and River Trust. He urged ongoing dialogue with the developer to ensure these connections are practical and durable.
Following about an hour of discussion, the planning committee approved the scheme by nine votes to two. The developer is expected to submit a reserved matters application detailing the design and layout of the homes by the end of the year, marking a significant step forward in bringing new life to this long-vacant site.