A former Somerset primary school will be demolished and replaced with new low-cost homes under new plans under consideration.

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 sites closed down when the academy moved to its new site on Northfield (which was approved by Somerset County Council in July 2019), with plans being put forward to convert the Kirkham Street site into two residential properties.

The Stonewater housing association has now submitted plans to redevelop the Estome Terrace site into 16 affordable homes – with Somerset Council (which replaced the county council in April 2023) expected to make a ruling on the matter by the end of the year.

The site lies within a heavily residential part of Somerton, next to the council’s school transport depot and within walking distance of the town’s fire station and the One Stop convenience store on Dairy Court.

Under the proposals, the existing buildings will be knocked down and replaced with 16 low-cost homes, which will be offered at “social, intermediate or affordable rent”.

The homes will be arranged in five blocks, comprising four one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom houses and six three-bedroom houses.

The development will include 31 car parking spaces and 28 cycle spaces – though there will be limited green space offered near the homes themselves.

Instead, Stonewater will set aside money through the community infrastructure levy (CIL) to improve an existing area of public open space – such as the existing play are behind the fire station.

A spokesman for Boon Brown Architects (representing the applicant) said: “The density and style of the scheme is appropriate for the immediate context and within the context of Somerton.

“The scheme will provide 16 dwellings on a brownfield site within an existing residential area.

“Landscaping and context have shaped the proposed layout to ensure that the green space is provided for residents.

“The project is deemed to provide a well-balanced scheme that provides suitable dwellings, amenity, parking and landscaping for the future residents to utilise and enjoy.”

The council is expected to make a decision on the plans by Christmas.

If approval is granted, a condition will be included that none of the new homes can be occupied before late-2025, to allow Wessex Water to upgrade their local treatment plant and thereby prevent any increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.