New primary school to be built in Bridgwater

The new school being built at Wilstock Village will have space for 210 pupils and a 40-space nursery

Construction is set to begin for a new primary school and nursery at a major housing estate in Bridgwater.

Wilstock Primary School will be built over the next two years with the first pupils being welcomed in September 2027, according to Somerset Council.

The new primary school on the southern edge of Wilstock Village will have space for 210 pupils with potential to be expanded in the future.

The school is estimated to cost up to £9m, including £7.7m borrowed by Somerset Council and paid back from contributions from local housing developments.

The school will be built on the southern edge of Wilstock Village, keeping the existing public right of way to Wilstock Lane

The new build will also include a 40-space nursery, two large football pitches and outdoor play equipment.

Bloor Homes South West was granted planning permission from Sedgemoor District Council in July 2018 to deliver the third phase of the Wilstock Village development in southern Bridgwater.

The project includes 248 new homes and a community hub, in addition to the primary school.

Somerset Council took over the overseeing of the project in April 2023, following a local government restructure.

The majority of new homes on Wilstock Village have already been delivered.

'Vital' infrastructure

School pupils currently travel to Somerset Bridge Primary School in the neighbouring Stockmoor Village or further afield to other local schools.

Council leader Bill Revans, whose North Petherton division includes the Stockmoor and Wilstock communities, said all primary schools in the area are already oversubscribed, with more housing developments on the way.

"I have been campaigning for a new primary school to be built at Wilstock for many years.

"It is vital that new house-building comes with community infrastructure like schools and health centres", said Cllr Revans.

'September 2027 opening'

Somerset Council confirmed it approved £7,742,000 in borrowing within its wider capital programme, on 5 March, as part of its annual budget.

A Somerset Council spokesperson said:

"We'd anticipate the school costing between £8m and £9m, with the entirety of the cost being met from developer contributions over time.

"We'd likely target a September 2027 opening."

The new primary school is expected to be discussed in more detail by the council's planning and transport policy sub-committee in Taunton on 8 April.

The discussion may include the allocation of funding from community infrastructure levy (CIL) payments made by housing developers in and around Bridgwater.