PUPILS at a Shepton Mallet school could soon be learning in a new classroom.

St Paul’s CofE Junior School, in Paul Street, has applied to Somerset Council for permission to erect a ‘modular building’ in an area formerly home to play equipment.

The structure would provide an extra classroom and WC facilities, according to the application, submitted by Christopher Stanley Architecture & Planning.

“The new detached classroom will not be an isolated educational building within the site but located close to existing built form but away from the listed host school building,” it said.

“It is set back from existing site boundaries on land formerly occupied by external play equipment. It will not affect the use of the existing playground or playing field.”

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The “modestly-sized” building would not lead to increased pupil numbers at the school, the application said.

“Similar developments are often present within school and educational sites and this proposed classroom has a modern and utilitarian design,” it added.

“The intention is for it to be externally clad in timber adding visual interest. Given its proposed use and association with existing built form, the development is considered appropriate in this setting.

“The block will be of a single storey size standalone block. The new block will not increase the capacity at the school, and it will not result in increased pupil or staff numbers at the school.”

For more details on the plan, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 2025/0704/FUL.

How the classroom building could look