New Melksham primary school plans revealed as demand grows

In a planning application submitted on Friday, September 29, Wiltshire Council revealed more details about the design for a new 260-pupil primary school in Melksham.

While plans are still at an early stage, the council says it is planning ahead due to the rising demand for school places caused by ongoing housing developments in the area.

The council has appointed architects AWW to design a new build primary school after permission was granted for a 235-home development and school, south of Western Way, in 2017.

Now a reserved matters application has been lodged relating to the appearance and scale of the proposed school, which would be built at Pathfinder Way in Bowerhill.

A number of images showing what the potential school could look like were included.

Plans for the new Melksham primary school (Image: AWW)The council emphasised that, at this point, the project is in its early stages and preliminary work is being carried out ahead of any future changes in demand.

Cllr Laura Mayes, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “Due to the amount of new housing either under construction or approved in the local area, a new school will be required in the future to meet demand.

“We are in the very early stages of this project and funding has not yet been approved.

“We are currently only undertaking preliminary work such as identifying costs and seeking planning permission to enable timely construction of a new school when it is required to meet demand for school places.”

In the design and access statement for the proposal, it was noted that pupil forecasting indicates a need for a single form entry primary school.

The Melksham Neighbourhood Plan calls for “sufficient primary and secondary school places” to be provided in sustainable locations to meet the needs of existing and new developments.

Plans for the new Melksham primary school (Image: AWW)The plans include a new school building with external play space and a multi use games area, and would cater for 30 nursery students and 260 pupils aged from four to 11.

This school, which will sit on a two-hectare site, would also provide provision for pupils with Special Educational Needs at key stage one and two.

Provisions have also been made in the plans for the potential expansion of the facility in the future, should pupil forecasting numbers increase.

Initially, the scheme would provide seven general classrooms, two SEN classrooms with 20 places, and one nursery space.