A NEW SEND school could support pupils near Bridgwater if plans are approved.

A planning application has been submitted to change the use and redevelop outbuildings at Lake Farm, Mill Lane in East Huntspill from its current storage use to a non-residential educational use.

Clive Miller Planning, on behalf of the applicant Headway Adolescent Services, said the change in use would create space for 18 children with special education needs that cannot be provided in mainstream educational establishments.

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The site is owned by Headway Adolescent Services which, through their subsidiary company Polaris Community, operate a range of children’s services, including the provision of residential homes and educational establishments.

The main farmhouse and its garden are currently used by the company as a children’s home for three teens.

The application said: “The proposed school would provide a valued contribution to the number and range of SEND places within the county, a factor which carries great weight in decision making.

Proposed elevations to one of the outbuildings Picture: Croft Surveyors

“It would also provide employment opportunities and enhance the visual appearance and biodiversity value of the site and its surroundings.”

“All pupils would benefit from small, friendly classes of a maximum of five to seven pupils with two teachers per class,” it added.

“The school would support children within the age range of five to 11 years, and the maximum capacity would be 18 children, with six members of specialist teaching staff, the head teacher and one admin support.”

The school would operate within regular hours and term times with the core day, starting at 9am and finishing at 3pm on Mondays to Fridays.

The three buildings, which would include a new building to replace the existing L-shaped stable block, would include a welfare and first aid room, classrooms and staff facilities including a meeting room.

No major physical external changes have been proposed to these buildings aside from cosmetic updates.

A play area would be located on the north side of the car park, with lawn, wildflower edging and a “living green screen fence” to allow seasonal and sensory diversity and enhance biodiversity.

To view and comment on the plans, visit somerset.gov.uk and search planning reference 25/24/00017.

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