Finding out what local people think of locations for a new Newton Abbot secondary school is as important as getting feedback on the site options contained in the Local Plan consultation for meeting the district’s housing and employment needs over the next 20 years.

With significant population growth planned in and around Newton Abbot, six possible sites are identified in the local plan consultation – which closes on 9 August - as potential locations for a new secondary school which could be needed in the next seven to 10 years.

Executive Member for Planning, Cllr Gary Taylor said:  “In the context of an expanding population, it is really important to start planning for a new school as soon as possible so that it can be in place by the time it is needed.

“Our current local plan consultation provides an early opportunity for local people to comment on some of the possible locations for a new school and to let us have their views on each of the sites identified as options. 

“Views submitted in the next 10 days as part of the local plan site options consultation will help inform where any new school could be built and will be fed back to Devon County Council”.

As the education authority, Devon County Council is already looking at the best way of meeting the education needs of future generations of young people in the area.

Options likely to be considered include a new standalone secondary school; locating a primary and secondary school on a single campus; expanding existing secondary schools and/or developing a post-16 education facility.

Demand for primary school places would most likely be met by expanding existing or planned schools although should a new one be required, the Local Plan suggests this could be delivered as part of an all-through campus alongside a new secondary school.

The six sites for a new school, identified in the Local Plan consultation, which would most likely be part funded by developer contributions, are on land west of Houghton Barton, at Bradley Barton, Howton Road, west of Kingskerswell Road, on land adjacent to Buckland Athletic Football Club football pitches, east of Kingskerswell Road or on the site of the existing Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, next to Newton Abbot College.

Cllr Taylor said:  “As with the site options for housing and employment, your views on a new school site are really important in helping shape a plan for the needs of education in our district over the next 20 years. You can take part by completing the Local Plan consultation survey and submitting it to us before the closing date of 9 August”.