Somerset Council has confirmed that Holyrood Academy is “highly likely” to lose some of its playing fields to accommodate a new primary school in Chard. The decision comes as part of the extensive development plans within the Chard Eastern Development Area (CEDA), which is set to bring at least 2,700 new homes alongside employment land and educational facilities.
CEDA, situated between the A358 Tatworth Road and the A30 Crewkerne Road, was initially planned to include two new primary schools. However, following delays in housing delivery—partly attributed to ongoing phosphate-related issues—the council announced in mid-September that only one new primary school would be constructed next to Holyrood Academy on Zembard Lane, near Chard’s town center. This new school, expected to open by 2028, will likely occupy part of the existing Holyrood playing fields.
Recent developments such as Blackdown Heights (142 homes) and Snowdon Grange (200 homes nearing completion) illustrate the town’s rapid housing growth. Over the next decade, nearly 1,000 additional homes are projected, driving the need for almost 300 new primary school places by 2028. Current primary schools—Avishayes, Manor Court, and Redstart—cannot accommodate this increased demand.
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The new primary school will initially serve 210 pupils plus a 40-place nursery and is designed for future expansion, resembling the model of Orchard Grove Primary School in Taunton. Somerset Council previously ruled out using the land of Chard Town Football Club on Zembard Lane, narrowing the location options primarily to the Holyrood playing fields.
A council spokesperson stated: “We can confirm there will be a new building for primary age pupils. While various locations were considered, siting the school on the existing playing fields is highly likely. This will be an early focus in discussions with our contractor and the Blackdown Education Partnership.”
Of the £7.75 million budget for the project, £1.88 million has been secured from local housing developers. The remainder will be financed initially through external borrowing, to be repaid via future housing developments, including a planned 236-home project on Tatworth Road, which will also feature the first phase of the anticipated eastern relief road (ERR).
Council education strategy officer Julia Balmford explained that refurbishing or rebuilding existing facilities at Holyrood was considered but ultimately rejected. “The feasibility study clearly identified that a new-build primary school was the most economical and suitable option, offering the best learning environment at the lowest cost per pupil.”