PLANNING permission has been granted to Mount Kelly Foundation for the construction of a bridge over the River Tavy.

West Devon Borough Council granted conditional planning permission at the playing fields at Mount Kelly, Parkwood Road, last month.

Plans show a 30m long metal bridge 5m from the river bed and supporting concrete pads and a path winding through the woods towards Mount Tavy House.

The design and access statement that accompanies the application explains that the school is split between two sites and that pupils are ferried between the two by minibus: ‘The provision of a pedestrian bridge between the two sites will not only save a considerable amount of time travelling between the two sites, reduce the volume of vehicular traffic but provide health benefits for staff and pupils.’

The bridge has been designed to have minimal visual impact, raised to reduce the risk of flooding, and link the two sites, which have more than 575 pupils and employs over 180 members of staff. Due to the differential in height disabled access would be difficult, it was reported, so disabled pupils will have to be transported between the sites by vehicle.

Planning officer Jeremy Guise said in his report: ‘The proposed bridge would be a new urban structure within the wooded river valley but views of the structure would be substantially obscured by the existing tree cover.

‘The paths either side of the bridge would be more visible, but could readily be accommodated within the two adjacent areas without detracting from their overall character and appearance.

‘Subject to suitable design and materials of the paths and sloped approaches to the bridge and appropriate planting and management of the banked slope on the eastern side of the river, I would conclude that the proposed development would conserve and enhance landscape character and local distinctiveness.’

Richard Smith, commercial director of Mount Kelly, said: ‘Mount Kelly intend to build a bridge over the River Tavy, the bridge will improve access between the prep and the college, facilitating improved integration across the school.

‘We are currently in the early planning phase and are working closely with West Devon Borough Council on this project. We are delighted with the progress made so far but we are still, however, in the initial stages of the project and there is a great deal to be done before construction can start.’