A planning application has been submitted to change the use of a former boarding house in Meare to a new school for pupils with learning difficulties.

The application for the change of use of a former school boarding house to teaching facility, initially hosting no more than 15 pupils, building up to 45 in three years' time with nine staff on site at 52 St Mary's Road, Meare, has been submitted to Mendip District Council by Abbot's Way School co-founder and joint head Gareth Wright.

If approval is given, the school is set to take students between the ages of eight and 14 years old, and it will focus on supporting pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia.

The planned opening follows the sudden closure at the end of March of the specialist Shapwick School, and 52 St Mary's Road was previously a boarding house for Shapwick.

The application says: "The building and grounds are already suitable without modification and the traffic and noise impact will be extremely limited.

"This proposed provision of this special school for students with dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia is a good example of essential community infrastructure being carried forward due to the efforts of some very specialist, experienced community leaders and will enhance Mendip's sustainable community strategy.

"There is an established need for facilities of this type since the closure of Shapwick School in March."

The other planning application in the Glastonbury area that has been submitted this week to Mendip District Council is:

Erection of livestock building on land east of Rubbery Farm, Rubbery Lane, Lydford-on-Fosse, has been applied for by Mr M Attwell.

Planning applications in the Glastonbury area that have been decided this week by Mendip District Council include:

Proposed garden office/store and location of shepherds hut in rear garden at 3 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, by Dr Paul Banks has been approved. As has replacing east slope of roof from clay pantiles to natural slate, replacement of two Velux windows with conservation rooflights and the creation of an additional rooflight on east roof at the same address.

Erection of 2m privacy screen on balcony and 3m privacy screen on patio at 12 Ashwell Lane, Glastonbury, by Mr Adam Worgan has been approved.

Erection of glass balustrade balcony to the rear elevation and replacement of one windows with two windows and a door at 6 Rowley Road, Glastonbury, by Mr B J Chant has been approved.

Approval of details reserved by conditions 2 (Materials) and 3 (Sample Panel) on planning consent 2017/3039/REM at Eastchurch Cottage, Church Lane, East Lydford, by Mr Neil Piercy has been given.