Councillors have given a “reluctant” green light to plans to build a further 100 homes near a small Somerset town.

Langport LVA LLP put forward plans in April 2021 to deliver the new homes north of the B3153 Somerton Road in Huish Episcopi, on the eastern approach to Langport.

The application was one of more than 50 in the former South Somerset area which was delayed by the ongoing phosphates crisis, with the developer negotiating with council planning officers to secure additional mitigation in order to protect the Somerset Levels and Moors.

Somerset Council’s planning committee south voted unanimously to back the proposals when it met on Tuesday afternoon (December 19), having received assurances that a substantial part of the properties would be affordable and local residents would be prioritised.

The parish of Huish Episcopi largely surrounds its neighbouring parish of Langport – meaning the majority of housing growth associated with the town is actually delivered in Huish Episcopi.

These include the Parrett Gardens estate of 80 homes recently delivered by Persimmon Homes South West on the A372 Wincanton Road, a short distance from the Somerton Road site, and The Orchard estate of 36 properties recently concreted by Allison Homes.

Under the South Somerset Local Plan (which runs until 2028), Langport and Huish Episcopi between them were expected to deliver 374 new homes – a target which has already been exceeded.

According to Huish Episcopi Parish Council, 465 new homes have been approved and built within the two parishes during the current Local Plan period.

Numerous local residents spoke against the plans on Tuesday afternoon (December 19), arguing the village had already taken its fair share of housing and did not have the amenities or infrastructure to cope with 100 more homes.

Si Price said: “There’s a reason for a Local Plan, and that is to balance development with local resources. We have grossly exceeded the Local Plan in terms of housebuilding in this area.

“Langport Surgery and the local schools are overstretched – you will need more than a million pounds to provide enough space.

“The boundary between the proposed site and the Quackery is less than 50 metres – I call that coalescence with the hamlet of Wearne and I consider that to be unacceptable.

“This is productive agricultural land, we should be developing on brownfield sites.”

The council’s education officers have requested that the developers contribute nearly £1.2m towards local education provision – including nearly £412,000 to expand Huish Episcopi Academy and more than £678,000 towards local primary schools.

NHS Somerset has also requested more than £50,000 towards the expansion of Langport Surgery on the A378 North Street – which was identified as needing to expand or relocate by health bosses back in 2020.

Val Saunders (who lives in the village) added: “Langport, as you know, is the host of the majority of services in this area.

“I remain unconvinced of the need of dense developments of this nature in rural areas.”

Under normal planning guidelines, 35 per cent of the new homes within the site will be affordable.

But Megan Rossiter, housing manager for the Abri housing association, indicated that her company would acquire the site if permission was granted and ensure every home on the site was either sold or rented at an affordable rate.

She said: “We are seeking to acquire this site to develop ourselves. This is in a sustainable location, with access to local services including schools and the doctors’ surgery.

“By providing bungalows on the site, we will provide room for people to downsize or to get on the property ladder in the first place.

“There is a desperate need for affordable homes in Somerset, and this scheme will help to address that. We urge you to embrace this opportunity.”

The council’s planning officers clarified affordable homes delivered on the site would be offered to local residents using a “cascade” approach (i.e. those with the strongest local connection and most urgent need being offered the properties first).

Councillor Sue Osborne (who represents Ilminster and the surrounding villages) added: “I do feel there has to be some benefit to the local community. It does give people the chance to get on the housing ladder or to move back to be closer to family.

“I totally respect residents’ views on this, but I think the tilted balance is too much in favour of this application. The affordable housing is a material benefit – this is a very reluctant approval.”

Councillor Henry Hobhouse (Castle Cary) said there was little that the village could do to prevent further development on top of its minimal housing allocation within the Local Plan.

He said: “Castle Cary has had to accept far more houses than under the Local Plan. We were forced that way under appeal on three separate occasions and we are bloody unhappy, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” 

After around an hour’s debate, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Abri is expected to bring forward a reserved matters application, detailing the design and layout of the housing (and confirming what proportion will be affordable) early in the new year.