MAJOR plans for a new primary school in Uplyme have been submitted to planners.

An outline application for a new and re-located Mrs Ethelston’s has been made to East Devon District Council.

Planners are being asked to decide on the principal of a school of this nature being acceptable on the site between Uplyme village hall and the Guinness housing currently under construction in Lyme Road.

It is proposed to re-locate the school from Pound Lane and build a new two-storey building on the undeveloped agricultural land.

It will provide seven classrooms to allow a year group per class, each with separate girls and boys’ toilets, a cloakroom and storage.

The current school has only six classrooms for seven year groups and no school hall for assemblies.

The proposed building will have a double height assembly hall large enough to accommodate the whole school and provide an indoor play area. There would also be a grassed playing field, which the current school does not have. A library and a design and technology suite would also feature. A full planning application will be submitted at a later date.

Trinity Ward’s East Devon District Councillor Ian Thomas, who was the former chairman of the New School Team, said: “The detail of the design and the final proposal will be what is known as ‘reserved matters’ which will be the subject of a further application at a later stage, should the principle of a school on the site be judged acceptable.”

Coun Thomas’s previous involvement in the project has been made known to the district council’s monitoring officer and he will be allowed to comment on the application and represent the ward if necessary.

A drop-in session to view the outline plans is being hosted by Uplyme Parish Council on November 22 from 7pm to 7.30pm in the village hall.

Also on display will be the major sites proposed to the district council for possible development in the village over the next 20 years.

Parish clerk Lois Wakeman said: “Please take this opportunity to find out about and comment on two of the most important planning matters likely to affect the village in the near future.

“The council will have a planning committee meeting at 7.30pm to discuss both matters, and you will be able to put your views to them at this time.”

 

MRS Ethelston’s PTFA will be holding its Christmas bazaar and craft fair this week at Uplyme village hall on November 23 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Uplyme Pre-school will be there to take family portraits. If you would like a photo please make an appointment by contacting Annie on 01297 24318 or email uplyme preschool@aol.com