Dozens of new homes, a handful of business units and a coastwatch training centre among the schemes people are trying to get planning permission for in Somerset.
Every week, hundreds of planning applications are submitted to Somerset Council for determination – and we have selected some of the most interesting proposals.
Most plans will be decided by council planning officers, using their legally delegated powers, but some of the most significant or contentious will go before one of the council’s five planning committees.
Planning committees are made up of elected councillors, but the decisions they make should be decided based on the council’s planning policies, not local politics (although it doesn’t always turn out that way).
Harvest Lane, Charlton Horethorne
The village of Charlton Horethorne lies on the edge of the Blackmore Vale between the towns of Sherborne and Wincanton.
Hopkins Estates Ltd. – which has been developing the Wincanton Gateway services just off the A303 – has put forward plans for this mixed development on the north-western edge of the village.
Two access points will be provided off Harvest Lane – one for the 31 homes (of which three will be self-build plots), and one for the two commercial unit at the western edge of the site.
A pedestrian access will be provided onto North Road, making it easier for the new residents to access the village’s shop and pub.
The new homes will raise from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, with a green buffer being created at the edges of the site and new allotments being provided
The developer said the plans would “provide much-needed housing, affordable housing, as well as commercial space opportunities for Charlton Horethorne, all within walking distance of the village’s amenities.”
Planning reference number: 23/02275/HYBRID
Piece Lane, Shepton Beauchamp
Piece Lane lies at the northern edge of Shepton Beauchamp, a small village north of the A303 near South Petherton.
West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. has submitted plans to build 16 new homes north of the existing homes, with six of the new properties being affordable.
The developer said that the village had “a sufficient level of local services” and the “overprovision” of affordable housing within the site made the development all the more essential in light of the council’s lack of a five-year land supply.
Planning reference number: 23/01974/FUL
Cadbury Business Park, A359 Cary Road, North Cadbury
The Cadbury Business Park lies on the A359 between Sparkford and Castle Cary, providing vital units for small- and medium-sized enterprises in the parish of North Cadbury and beyond.
Brickcourt Ltd. has applied for permission to construct a further eight industrial units off the existing access road, with the existing storage yard and loading area being retained.
An attenuation pound and new landscaping will be created at the south-eastern edge of the site to offset the impact of the new development and reduce the risk of localised flooding.
Planning reference number: 23/02535/FUL
Lillebonne Way, Wellington
Bloor Homes South West has been delivering 430 new homes within the Longforth Farm development site, which runs off Lillebonne Way on the eastern approach to Wellington.
As part of the approved plans, the developer must provide new sports pitches on Lillebonne Way in addition to other amenities, such as the recently-completed Isambard Kingdom Brunel Primary School.
The developer has now applied to create the access onto Lillebonne Way, allowing the new pitches to be delivered – which could provide a new facility for Wellington AFC.
Planning reference number: 43/23/0090
Warren Road, Minehead
The National Coastwatch Institution is a registered charity whose volunteers across the UK man watch stations to keep watch on the coastline and assist people in danger.
The charity wants to create a new watch station and training centre on Minehead seafront, opposite the entrance to the Butlin’s holiday camp.
Minehead Town Council has already voted in support of the plans – but the unitary council (or its planning officers) will have the final say.
Planning reference number: 3/21/23/083
To comment on any of these applications (and others), visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land/view-and-comment-on-a-planning-application.
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