Plans for a new school to be built in Highbridge as part of a 171-home housing development were last night (Monday) opposed by town councillors due to safety concerns.
Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge town councillors reviewed the plans for a new primary school at the Brue Farm site on the outskirts of Highbridge during a meeting of the council’s Planning Committee on Monday (July 15th).
While the 171 homes have previously been given outline planning approval as part of the wider Brue Farm scheme, Barratt Developments has submitted updated proposals for ‘associated infrastructure, including outline permission for a new primary school’.
Plans for the new 200-pupil Highbridge school were formally announced last year by the county council.
But Cllr Andy Brewer said: “The new school is still in the same location as the earlier plans, on the south side of the site with access from the busy A38 Huntspill Road, which is why we previously raised health and safety concerns.”
Cllr Louise Parkin added: “The location of the school is a concern. While the heath of the children is at risk, I can’t see how this council can support this. The school would be right next to the main road – it would be dreadfully unhealthy and an accident waiting to happen.”
Cllr Helen Groves added: “The county council is under huge pressure on primary education, so we need to hammer home to the council why we are objecting – it’s not about the provision of a new school, it’s the location.”
But Cllr Bill Hancock cautioned: “Developers don’t have a bottomless pit of money – there has to be a little bit of give and support.”
Councillors also raised concern that two-and-a-half storey homes are proposed which are taller than usual, and they also noted that two of the proposed new houses on the edge of the Brue Farm site could potentially overlook other properties, causing privacy worries. Cllr Janet Keen said the wider roads are also needed on the development.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, Cllr Brewer concluded: “We will reaffirm our objection that the school is not in the right place.”
A final decision on the application – reference number 52/19/001 – rests with Sedgemoor District Council. Comments are welcome until 23 July, 2019.
