School at flood risk may be rebuilt on new site

A PERSISTENT bid to get Tiverton High School rebuilt could lead to it being put on a different site, it has emerged.

- BRADLEY GERRARD

In an exchange in Parliament between the area’s MP, Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton and Minehead) and Josh MacAlister, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Education, it was confirmed that work was underway in terms of refreshing the school.

Mr MacAlister also revealed that an alternative location might have been found, prompted in part by the fact the current site is on a flood plain.

“The project is at pre-feasibility stage, and the Department is undertaking technical work and planning appraisals,” Mr MacAlister said, in response to a question from Ms Gilmour. “Work to date suggests that significant development of the school will be required, and that this may not be permitted by the planning authority on the current site due to its location in a flood zone.