Monkton Wood Academy – formerly Heathfield School – is set to get a new, larger dining area.
Conditional full planning permission has been granted for the development after a report highlighted “a chronic shortage” of space that currently fails to meet minimum standards.
The scheme involves relocating the dining hall, which doubles up as an assembly hall, to the existing library in Block K and transforming the dining hall in Block C into the new library.
A single-storey extension to Block K is scheduled to be built on a section of the adjacent sports field.
A report to Somerset Council planners said the current dining hall is “significantly smaller than required”, while the kitchen falls “short of the standard size”.
It adds: “This reconfiguration would allow both the dining and kitchen areas to meet the standards required…providing adequate facilities for the school’s needs.”
The report also said: “As the existing library exceeds the required provision and the current dining hall and kitchen are significantly undersized, it would be practical to swap these two areas.”
No impact on sports
The extension will not impact on the sports’ playing area, with the report saying: “Due to the compact nature of the site, there are minimal alternative placements identified for dining provision expansion.
“The extension has been planned to minimise the encroachment on the sports field and avoid disrupting any sporting provision.
“The remaining playing field will retain its full functionality, including the capability to host marked pitches and accommodate sports programmes.”
The new dining facility will feature two servers areas, one for cold food to facilitate quick service and easy movement of students, the other for hot food, positioned near the kitchen.
The only alteration to convert the current dining room into the library will be a dividing wall to separate the library and the assembly hall, while there will also be a lift.
“The proposed changes will not only enhance the daily experience of staff and students, but also future proof the school be ensuring it meets the demands of its growing population,” said the report.
The council approved the proposals, saying it would “not materially impact on the character or appearance of the area, residential amenities or highway safety”.