Former school site could be turned into housing

A former primary school building could be demolished and replaced with housing.

King Ina Church of England Academy was originally split over two sites in Somerton – the infants’ site on Etsome Terrace and the juniors’ site on Kirkham Street.

Both closed down when the Somerset school moved to Northfield.

The Stonewater housing association has now submitted plans to redevelop the Etsome Terrace site into 16 affordable homes – with Somerset Council expected to make a decision by Christmas.

Under the proposals, the existing buildings would be knocked down and replaced by homes offered at “social, intermediate or affordable rent”.

There are limited plans for green space near the homes themselves. Instead, Stonewater plans to set aside money through the community infrastructure levy to improve existing areas of public open space – such as the existing play area behind the nearby fire station.

The development would include 31 car parking spaces and 28 cycle spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

If approval is granted, a condition will be included that none of the new homes can be occupied before late-2025.

This would give Wessex Water time to upgrade its local treatment plant with the aim of preventing any increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.

Plans were previously put forward to convert the Kirkham Street site into two residential properties.

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