PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for a new two-storey primary school, incorporating a nursery, in Wellington.

The new Isambard Kingdom Brunel Primary School will be built on land at Longforth Farm along with a sports hall, playing field, associated car park, cycle parking and pedestrian access points with vehicle access and secure fencing.

It is expected that the school will have an overall capacity of 420 pupils and 52 nursery children and that it will be open in September 2020. These children will be catered for by 64 full and part-time teaching, administration and support staff, although these figures are expected to rise eventually to just under 100

And although the new school proposals are supported by members of Wellington Town Council some of them have spoken of their disappointment at the plans.

Cllr Andrew Govier, speaking at the town council’s planning committee meeting in May, said: “While I welcome the news that the school is progressing and will be built, I just don’t think the layout looks very good. It’s a bit of a mess.

“It does seem a shame that the layout is strange. With some imagination there could be a better layout for the school.

“But I’m just pleased we are moving forward with it. I’m not saying we object to the plans because I don’t want to delay the process.”

Cllr John Thorne added: “I share a lot of Cllr Govier’s concerns. It looks as if it’s been built for a Scandinavian forest – similar to a spa complex. All that’s missing from the plans is a “buy one, get one free” offer.

“I don’t like it at all. If this is going to be a school for this area for the next 100 years I would have expected something better.”

A report prepared on behalf of Portakabin Ltd for the Department for Education, in support of the application, said: “The building would be finished with a mix of white and red coloured panels and sections of wood-effect feature cladding to provide both vertical and horizontal interest.

“The materials are intended to provide an enriched and enlivened appearance for the school building.”

The plans show that the main entrance to the school building would front onto Thomas Place and that that there would be 34 car parking spaces for staff, a drop-off and pick-up facility for parents, spaces for school transport services and emergency service vehicles. There would also be 60 bicycle and two motorbike spaces.

The school will be run by the Castle Partnership Trust, which also runs The Castle School in Taunton.

The land was reserved for a primary school under a s.106 agreement when the development of houses at Longforth was given approval.

The new school will be a 420 place Free School providing classrooms, library, SEN facilities, a multi-use hall, kitchen and dining facilities.