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Search the Public Notice PortalTwenty-four brand‑new homes in a small village near the A303 could finally welcome their new owners before the end of the year if ongoing legal issues can be resolved.
Stonewater Housing Association secured planning permission in March 2024 to build 24 homes on Foldhill Lane in Martock, opposite the La Fontana dementia nursing home.
Construction finished nearly a year ago, yet all the homes are still empty due to outstanding legal issues between the developer and Somerset Council, relating to the ownership of a key strip of land near the main access point.
The council has now confirmed that it is working on a solution, agreeing with Stonewater to divide up the remaining work needed on the site in order to allow local families to move in as soon as possible.
The issue came to light following complaints from David Polson, whose former partner and four-year-old daughter are among those waiting to move into the new homes.
Mr Polson’s daughter, Indie, who is non-verbal autistic and attends a special school in Yeovil, has been living in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with her mother since June 2025.
The property does not allow visitors for safeguarding reasons, leaving them feeling isolated and unsupported while they wait to move into their new home which is offered at affordable rent.
Mr Polson stated in late-February: "In the midst of a housing crisis, there seems to be no urgency to put these brand‑new homes into occupancy.
"The HMO not allowing visitors is really affecting my daughter’s emotional regulation and development. When my ex moved in there, the council said it would only be temporary."
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, provided an update to Mr Polson via an email seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
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Mr Rigby said he could not go into specifics regarding the land ownership issue, stating only that the relevant section of land was not owned by either Stonewater or the council.
He said: "Our highway officers and Stonewater have worked to amend the scheme so that the highway works have now been split into two elements.
"Element one consists of the site access and the works associated with this, while element two will consist of a pedestrian link between the site and the existing pedestrian infrastructure.
"The revised legal agreement has now been completed. Consequently, officers are now prioritising the delivery of the access works as both parties understand the need to get this operating as soon as practically possible."
Mr Rigby said he was unable to provide a time-scale for this work, stating there were "a number of variables which need to be taken into account".
He added: "Please be assured all parties are aware of the importance of bringing this scheme forward and working to make sure the access arrangements are brought forward as soon possible.
"I understand the continued distress that this matter has caused for you and the other families involved.
"I hope I have been able to convey that officers are fully aware of the need for this scheme to be brought forward.
"To this extent, they are working with Stonewater to progress these matters as practically possible."
The council recently approved two planning applications linked to the development: one permitting off‑site highway improvements to be completed after occupation, and another approving the design of public artwork within the site.
The project had already been delayed by nearly four years due to the county‑wide phosphates crisis, which required Stonewater to agree additional mitigation to prevent any net increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Matt Crucefix, Stonewater's director of development operations, said that every effort was being made to resolve outstanding issues and allow the new homes to be let to local people.
He said: "We understand how frustrating these delays have been and the impact they’ve had on customers at Foldhill Lane.
"This has been a complex issue involving land and legal arrangements, which has taken time to resolve.
"We have now worked with the local authority to finalise these, and the necessary agreements are in place.
"Our priority is now to progress the access works as quickly as possible, and we are continuing to work closely with partners to move matters within our control forward."
We will keep customers updated as plans progress."
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