Somerset Council has determined that a proposed development of 120 new homes in the scenic village of Wedmore will not have a “significant effect” on the local environment.
Cavanna Homes South West currently has 109 homes underway in the Centenary Heights development along the A39 Quantock Road in nearby Bridgwater, while also planning an additional 275 homes just west of that site. Now, the developer is seeking to build 120 homes on agricultural land west of Lascot Hill in Wedmore.
Earlier this year, Cavanna Homes submitted an initial screening request to the council, which has since confirmed that a full environmental impact assessment is not required for the project. Residents can expect more detailed plans to be presented later in the summer.
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The development site consists of two fields adjacent to existing estates on Dane’s Lea and St. Medard Road, which hosts the village’s GP surgery. Access will be via the site’s northeast corner, formerly a farm gate, with two nearby public footpaths to be improved as part of the scheme.
Following Sedgemoor’s local planning policies, 36 of the 120 homes—30% of the total—are designated as affordable housing. This aligns with targets for new developments of ten or more homes in the area.
Jonnathan Chick, an associate at Nexus Planning representing Cavanna Homes, highlighted the village’s strong local amenities, stating: “Wedmore benefits from a range of services and facilities serving both the village and surrounding communities. It is also close to larger settlements including Cheddar, Wells, and Glastonbury.” Key local landmarks include Wedmore First School Academy and Nursery, Wedmore Sports Ground, the village pharmacy, St. Mary’s Church, and a variety of shops and community spaces in the village center.
Since a portion of the site lies within the River Brue catchment area, Cavanna Homes will need to address environmental concerns by purchasing phosphate credits or implementing alternative measures to prevent an increase of phosphates in the Somerset Levels and Moors.
On March 20, Somerset Council officially approved the screening request. Amelia Elvé stated that due to the scale and nature of the project, “the development is not expected to cause significant effects.” She emphasized that appropriate mitigation can counteract any potential impacts regarding neighboring residents, traffic, visual amenity, landscape, and ecology. Therefore, there is no requirement for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.
Wedmore has experienced significant housing growth recently, with Strongvox Homes adding 89 homes at Wedmore Grange near Blackford Road, and C & P Developments winning permission last July for 34 additional homes on Wells Road after a lengthy planning process.
Given the size and importance of the development, future detailed proposals are expected to be reviewed publicly by Somerset Council’s planning committee for major projects in the former Sedgemoor area.