PEOPLE have the chance to give their views on a proposed new primary school due to open in September 2023 on a new housing estate in Taunton.

A public consultation on the plans for the Comeytrowe school to serve the Orchard Grove development of 2,000 homes began on Monday (March 8) and end on April 9.

Existing schools in the area are all at or near to capacity and would be unable to cope with the predicted influx of 640 pupils to the area.

The new school will have 14 classes and a 52-place nursery on an allocated site with room to expand later on if necessary.

Construction work is underway on the Orchard Grove homes and 500 homes are set to be built and occupied by spring 2022 and the scheme completed by 2028.

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: "Not all (school) places will be bought into use at once, but will be phased in to accommodate rising pupil numbers as the housing development grows in size.

"So in the first few years of opening, the school will cater for younger year groups - reception and depending on demand possibly years 1 and 2 - and grow in size year on year.

"It is expected that the school will be ready to open for the start of the new academic year in September 2023."

The council is securing funding to cover the capital costs through developer contributions.

The school campus will also include a playing field and play areas.

The council spokesperson added: "Previously, when a new school is proposed a stakeholder engagement event is held which gives an opportunity for stakeholders to view concept plans of the school and to ask questions of officers about the free school presumption process and the evidence of need for the new school.

"Due to the pandemic and current lockdown restrictions this will not be possible."

Instead anyone wishing to speak to a council representative can fill in a contact form on the authority's website.

The form can also be used to provide feedback on the proposal.