The first primary school at Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey’s 4,254-home Valley Park scheme in Didcot has passed the final planning hurdle.
The joint developers have secured reserved matters approval from Oxfordshire County Council for a three-form entry primary school, a nursery, and community-use spaces in the northern section of the scheme.
The school will be close to Common Park and the local centre.
The developers highlight some of the school development’s key features including:
- A 3.01-hectare site incorporating sports pitches, outdoor play areas, and staff and visitor parking.
- The building will be net-zero carbon in operation, featuring solar panels and air-source heat pumps.
- Native hedgerows, habitat zones and a forest school enhance the site’s natural beauty and educational offerings.
- Multiple pedestrian and cycle routes ensure safe and convenient access for pupils and the wider community.
Seb Spiller, managing director of Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the first new primary school at our Valley Park site in Didcot.
“We are proud to contribute to the thriving Valley Park community by delivering the first of several high-quality schools that will prioritise both education and environmental stewardship.
“This project marks an important milestone in our vision for Valley Park – building opportunities, connections, and futures for our residents and the wider community.
“As the first school to be delivered on-site, it will set the standard for the excellent facilities and sense of community that we aim to foster throughout this development.”
Aaron Wright, senior planning manager for Taylor Wimpey, said: “We are pleased to have received planning approval for a new primary school in Didcot and look forward to working with Persimmon to bring this vital infrastructure to the local community.
“A new primary school will ensure that residents at Valley Park and the surrounding areas will have plenty of options to choose from when selecting a local school for their children.
“As well as two new primary schools, we have further plans to bring a series of new facilities to our residents’ doorstep at Valley Park, including local centres, a community building, shops, sports facilities and playing fields and green open spaces.”
Construction of the school is set to commence in April 2025, with the doors opening to pupils in September 2027.
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