36 homes would be ‘affordable’
Proposed site of 120 homes on Lascot Hill in Wedmore(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
A planned development of 120 homes in a scenic Somerset village will not have a “significant effect” on the local environment, Somerset Council has ruled.
Cavanna Homes South West is currently delivering 109 new homes within the Centenary Heights development on the A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater – with the council currently considering plans to deliver an additional 275 homes immediately to the west.
The Torquay-based developer put forward initial proposals (known as a screening request) in early-March for a major development on agricultural land west of Lascot Hill in Wedmore.
These plans have now cleared the first hurdle after Somerset Council ruled that a more detailed environmental impact assessment would not be needed – with more detailed proposals likely to come forward in the summer.
The site comprises two agricultural fields west of Lascot Hill, with the new homes expected to border the existing estates on Dane’s Lea and St. Medard Road (where the village’s GP surgery is located).
Access will be from the north-east corner of the site (currently a farm gate), with two existing public rights of way which criss-cross the site both being enhanced through the development.
Of the 120 homes within the site, 36 will be affordable, meeting the 30 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more within the former Sedgemoor area.
Jonnathan Chick, associate at Nexus Planning (representing the developer) said: “Wedmore benefits from a range of services and facilities that serve both the village itself and a number of the surrounding villages.
“Wedmore is also in proximity of settlements such as Cheddar, Wells and Glastonbury.
“The site is within close proximity to key local services, including Wedmore First School Academy and Nursery, Wedmore Sports Ground, Wedmore Pharmacy, St. Mary’s Church and the village centre, which offers a range of retail and community amenities.”
Part of the site lies within the River Brue catchment area – meaning Cavanna Homes will have to purchase phosphate credits or deliver alternative mitigation to prevent any net increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The council approved the screening request on Friday (March 20), with Amelia Elvé stating that a more detailed environmental impact assessment for the development would not be necessary.
She said: “The nature, scale and characteristics of the development are not considered likely to give rise to significant effects.
“The proposed location of the development does not have the potential to impact upon a sensitive area.
“Appropriate mitigation methods can be used to negate the possible impacts in respect of neighbouring residents, highways impacts, visual amenity, landscape and ecology.
There is no potential for likely significant effects that would trigger the need for an environmental impact assessment.”
Wedmore has seen substantial housing growth over the last decade, with Strongvox Homes delivering 89 homes on the Wedmore Grange estate north of the B3139 Blackford Road, east of the first school.
C & P. Developments (Wedmore) Ltd. secured permission for an additional 34 homes on the B3139 Wells Road in July 2024, following a four-year battle.
Due to the scale and significance of the proposals, any more detailed plans which are submitted after this decision will most likely be determined in public by its planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area).
