A Devon village school at the centre of growing safety fears could be completely rebuilt and relocated under major new plans that would transform a large area of community land.
Planning documents have now been lodged for a replacement Swimbridge Church of England Primary School on land opposite the current school in Swimbridge, near Barnstaple.
The scheme would see a new primary school, nursery provision, sports pitches, a multi-use games area, forest school, sensory garden, parking and outdoor learning areas built on existing playing fields south of Blakes Hill Road.
Documents submitted with the application say the current school building is no longer considered fit for purpose and faces “increasing safety concerns” linked to the erosion of the steep bank behind the site. A heritage report states the long-term viability of the existing Grade II listed school is now in doubt.
The proposals are being brought forward through the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme, with the Department for Education listed as the applicant within the planning statement.
Planning papers describe the project as a chance to “secure the long-term future” of education within the village while keeping pupils in permanent teaching accommodation.
The new school would sit on almost one hectare of greenfield land currently used as playing fields and recreation space opposite the existing school. The site is within the Swimbridge Conservation Area and close to the listed current school building.
Design documents reveal the new school would include classrooms for nursery through to Year Six, a 150 square metre assembly hall, specialist teaching rooms, a library, SEN facilities, outdoor learning spaces and covered play areas.
Plans also include a forest school, sensory garden, allotment area, managed habitat zones, soft sports pitch and a MUGA.
Architects said the layout had been carefully designed around the difficult shape and steep slope of the site.
The proposed building has deliberately been positioned lower down the hillside to reduce its visual impact and avoid repeating the retaining wall problems affecting the current school.
Planning papers state: “The existing school is at risk from the retaining wall behind it and its long term viability is in doubt. In the long term the existing school will need to be either relocated or closed.”
The proposed school would largely be single-storey, although part of the hall building would rise higher. Earlier concerns from planners about the use of brick were addressed by redesigning parts of the building with render finishes considered more in keeping with the village.
Access to the site has already emerged as one of the most sensitive parts of the proposals.
Under the plans, the main vehicle entrance would come from Liverton Drive, where eight parking spaces would be created alongside delivery access and disabled parking. A separate stepped pedestrian access route from Blakes Hill Road would also remain in use for parents and pupils arriving on foot.
Highways officers previously raised concerns about parents parking along Blakes Hill Road during school drop-off and pick-up periods. In response, the plans now include a new section of footpath linking the existing lay-by to the stepped school access.
The application also proposes enlarging the existing community car park near Liverton Drive.
The development would affect land currently used for recreation and community open space, something acknowledged by planners during pre-application discussions.
North Devon Council officers previously warned that the loss of recreational land and green infrastructure would need to be justified and mitigated.
Design documents say the existing sports pitch would be retained, while community access to some facilities could continue outside school hours. Consultation feedback from residents and parents highlighted strong support for retaining a school within the village and welcomed proposals for improved outdoor facilities and a hall.
Environmental reports submitted with the application identified ecological constraints on the site, including the presence of dormice within boundary habitats. Ecologists said a European Protected Species Licence would be required before any habitat loss could legally proceed.
Landscape consultants also assessed the impact of the development on views across the surrounding countryside and village. The site currently consists of open playing fields and recreation land on the western edge of Swimbridge.
Ground investigation reports found the site to be low risk for contamination and flooding, although radon protection measures would be needed in any new building.
Public consultation events were held during the summer of 2025, with planning papers saying responses from parents and residents overwhelmingly stressed the importance of keeping a school in Swimbridge.
The application will now be considered by North Devon Council planners.
