AN UPDATED planning application to build a new Haygrove and Penrose school in Bridgwater is being submitted – to stand a better chance of future funding.

Education Secretary Michael Gove stopped the multi-million pound Building Schools for the Future scheme in July and now the two schools, along with East Bridgwater, are on hold awaiting a spending review in September.

Mr Gove has said although the BSF scheme has been halted, there will still be capital investment for schools in the future.

To ensure a better chance of future funding, the BSF Somerset team, based in Bridgwater, has continued rebuild plans for Haygrove and Penrose on Queenswood Farm. It was due to submit outline permission to Sedgemoor District Council earlier this month, which included new school buildings, highways work and associated access works.

Julia Ridge, BSF Somerset director, said: "We are proceeding with the plans because BSF is a brand name for the previous government's initiative to combine rebuilding schools with computers and teacher training.

"The coalition government is considering whether this joint approach is needed or whether a simplified building programme would be more cost effective.

"Mr Gove has assured local authorities he is still committed to capital investment in schools.

"By submitting our planning application it strengthens the case for Haygrove and Penrose to be part of the Government's future investment plans for schools."

The application is to determine whether the site is suitable for the development and must demonstrate why the site is required and chosen, and how it will effect the nearby highways and ecology.

The present Haygrove site, not including the nearby playing fields, will be sold to fund buying the new site and substantial roadworks are needed to improve school and residents' safety.

The fate of the present Haygrove playing field and Penrose sites is undecided.

BSF Somerset hopes the planning application will go before Sedgemoor's development committee in November.

Mrs Ridge said: "This is an application which we understand, through informal consultation, will have a number of parties wishing to express views.

"It is not anticipated to go before committee until November at the earliest to ensure all parties have the chance to comment."

The £100 million BSF Bridgwater scheme was due to take place before a county-wide scheme worth around £500 million was rolled out.

The outline plans include an updated and more detailed highways plan.

These include widening Spaxton and Durleigh roads near Enmore Road to include safe pedestrian and cycle paths.

Negotiations between nearby residents are taking place to secure this extra land, but Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) could be used so the county council can acquire the land without landowners' permission.

There is a proposed roundabout at Enmore Road and the overall road leading north to the school will be staggered to slow traffic. There will be a roundabout into the school to control the flow of traffic and public transport including school buses will be routed there.

A T-junction will be used for Skimmerton Lane onto the A39.

To encourage vehicles from the south, Skimmerton Lane will branch off and include a blocked section to all but walkers and cycles.

Mrs Ridge said: "There will be substantial road network improvements to maximise safety of the route and create cycle paths.

"The investment will enable Somerset County Council to create road improvements in the area, including Spaxton road, Skimmerton Lane and the junction with Enmore Road, which Durleigh Parish Council has requested for some time.

These improvements are currently being developed and will be available for comments."