Planning application goes in for long-awaited 420 pupil school in Newcourt area of Exeter

A planning application has gone in by Devon County Council for a new school in the Newcourt area of Exeter.The application is for a new two form entry primary school and nursery on a 1.8 hectare site within the proposed Seabrook residential and community development.Newcourt residents were told the construction of Trinity Church of England School would begin in September last year but issues over the site stopped construction.Newcourt’s other largest scheme to date, the railway station, cost Devon County Council £700,000 more than budgeted and was over half a year late.Now plans are made by the council for the new school near Topsham as part of the Seabrook Orchards residential development that also includes 700 new homes, a doctors surgery, café, crèche, local store and two care homes.Seabrook Orchards is part of the Newcourt Urban Extension that included roughly 3,500 new homes. It is thought that an extra 875 primary places were needed to deal with the growth.The proposed school borders the former Royal Navy Supply Depot and will have a total capacity of 420 pupils across seven year groups.The two storey building plans also include play areas, parking and a grass sports pitch.