ROUTE 39 Academy is set to have a permanent home. The Secretary of State has granted permission for the free school to have a permanent site at Bucks Cross.

Route 39 Academy, currently located in temporary premises in Higher Clovelly, now has permission to construct a site at Steart Farm.

The academy’s plans for the construction of a new school were originally refused by Torridge District Councillors, who went against a planning officer’s recommendation to approve.

This decision went to appeal and the planning inspector recommended it be dismissed, but the Secretary of State disagreed, last week granting Route 39 Academy planning permission and listed building consent.

Jordan Kelly, Route 39 Academy’s acting principal, said the news was a ‘huge relief’.

He said: “At Route 39 Academy we have created a caring environment where students can be challenged and supported to exceed their educational goals. At the heart of our vision is a school that uses the best innovative practices to make learning interesting and relevant to students, and that reflects this area’s unique rural and coastal environment.

“Therefore we look forward to working with local environmental bodies to deliver a curriculum that will allow us to create the future custodians of this outstanding area. By using education as a tool, we will emphasise the importance of caring for this and other natural areas. We have already begun this important work whilst in temporary accommodation in Clovelly.

“Both the Secretary of State and Planning Inspector note ‘that there is a deep felt appreciation of what the school has achieved so far by local parents and students at the school’. I would like to sincerely thank all of our parents, governors, staff and students who have contributed to creating Route 39 Academy’s strong and inspiring learning community. With a permanent home we can now build upon this legacy.”

The decision document, issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government, states: “Whilst there are spaces currently available in existing secondary schools in the area, undisputed estimates of population growth show that there is likely to be unmet need sometime in the next decade.”

The document adds that the Secretary of State ‘considers there to be proven national public interest in the provision of additional choices in secondary education and no alternative site outside the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is available that is consistent with the school’s ethos’.

The news was also welcomed by Richard Bence, chair of governors, who said: “The Secretary of State also notes that there are a significant number of economic and social benefits associated with the development and estimates that it would lead to over 70 jobs, construction employment, and nearly £1.7-million brought into the economy.”

Mr Bence expressed thanks to the community of Clovelly — the parish hall committee and Clovelly Estate for providing the academy with a temporary home.

He added: “We look forward to working productively with local residents to ensure that the new building is accessible and has varied community-focused uses.”