AN ‘outstanding’ school near Bridgwater could soon have its own student enterprise café if it is granted planning permission by Somerset Council.

Dovecote School, located in Shapwick, wants to open the café to help its students develop their skills and confidence. 

The school has has 57 pupils aged five to 18. The majority have autism and some have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or pathological demand avoidance (PDA).

Many have high levels of anxiety and had previously struggled to attend school but now have attendances above 90 per cent.

The school was rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and won two awards for its focus on mental wellbeing within a year of opening in September 2022.

In a planning application, a school spokesperson said: “Dovecote School is a mixed-gender SEN day school giving students with exceptional learning requirements the opportunity to develop and thrive.

“The proposed student enterprise café will form a very important addition to the school, providing an enterprise facility that will allow students to develop their skills and confidence to engage with other students, staff and visitors. 

“The new café will be located at the northern end of the main car park close to the school’s farm, also used as an education resource.

“The new building will have a small external seating area with a landscaped perimeter.

“Direct access will be provided to the car park and also via a footpath leading to the main entrance of the school. A small bicycle stand will also be provided close by.”

The timber building is being procured through School Outdoor Learning Ltd, a firm that specialises in outdoor educational facilities.

A separate WC cubicle and a small bin store have also been proposed to go at the rear of the new café building. A concrete slab for the new facility is already in place.

The school plans to operate the new café between 9am and 3.30pm on weekdays during term-time (39 weeks per year).

Sedgemoor planning round-up

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between August 3 and August 9. 

For more details and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

Ashcott

01/23/00018: Erection of agricultural fodder building and implement store (revised scheme) at 33 Bath Road, Ashcott, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9QJ. 

Burnham & Highbridge

11/23/00066: Variations of Condition 2 of Planning Permission 11/14/00031 (Variation of condition 2 of Planning Permission 11/13/00089 to substitute revised plans for changed roof design and internal layout.) to alter roof design, fenestration and porch. 37 Caernarvon Way, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2DQ. 

11/23/00082: Repollard 13No. Willows (T11-T15 & T19-T26) (TPO Ref G2 & G1) to 3m. Repollard Ash (G2) (TPO Ref G1) to 5m. Remaining trees detailed within submitted report are not covered by TPO. Highbridge Medical Centre, Pepperall Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3YA. 

Cheddar

17/23/00038: Erection of single storey and first floor extension to the North elevation, including alterations to existing garage at Camellia, Lower New Road, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3DY. 

17/23/00047: Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey extension on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished) at 20 Labourham Way, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3XJ. 

17/23/00049: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to No.1 Dwellinghouse (Class C3), and associated building operations at Hill Farm, Brinscombe Lane, Weare, Axbridge, BS26 2LH. 

Mark

33/22/00023: Erection of groundsman storage shed at Mark Cricket Club, Vole Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9.

33/23/00022: Proposed retention of culvert linking garden area to grazing field, with the creation of hard-standing and track along the Eastern boundary of the site at Quantock View, Yarrow Road, Mark, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4LR. 

North Petherton

37/23/00075: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Dwellinghouses (Use Class C3), and associated building operations. Land adjacent to Chapel Road, Fordgate, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 0AR.

Shapwick

43/23/00006: Erection of student enterprise cafe including external decking area at Dovecote School, 21 Station Road, Shapwick, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 9NJ.

Wedmore

50/23/00075: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed slurry store to replace two existing open clay lined slurry lagoons at land north east of Newgrove Farm, Eastfield Road, Blackford, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28. 

West Huntspill

52/23/00004: Erection of a detached double garage at 12 Old Pawlett Road, West Huntspill, Highbridge, TA9 3RH. 

Westonzoyland

53/23/00009: Conversion of attached side (East) garage to form additional living space at Blossom House, 59A Liney Road, Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0EU.