Somerset Council has determined that a proposed development of 120 homes in the scenic village of Wedmore will not have a “significant effect” on the local environment. The ruling comes after Cavanna Homes South West submitted early proposals in March for a major housing project on agricultural land west of Lascot Hill.
Currently, Cavanna Homes is delivering 109 new homes at the Centenary Heights development along the A39 Quantock Road in Bridgwater, with an additional 275 homes under consideration nearby. The latest site in Wedmore includes two agricultural fields adjacent to existing housing estates on Dane’s Lea and St. Medard Road, close to village amenities such as the GP surgery.
Access to the new development will be gained from the northeast corner via a farm gate, with two public rights of way crossing the site set for enhancement. Of the 120 homes planned, 36 will be affordable, meeting the 30% target required for developments of this size within the former Sedgemoor district.
READ MORE: 209 New Homes to Rise in Taunton Despite Design Concerns
READ MORE: 23 New Council Homes to Boost Growing Somerset Village near Quantock Hills
Jonathan Chick, associate at Nexus Planning representing Cavanna Homes, emphasized Wedmore’s strong local services and community facilities. He highlighted the village’s proximity to schools, sports grounds, pharmacies, churches, and retail options, as well as nearby towns such as Cheddar, Wells, and Glastonbury.
Due to part of the development’s location within the River Brue catchment area, Cavanna Homes will need to acquire phosphate credits or implement alternative measures to ensure no net increase in phosphates on the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors.
Somerset Council’s approval of the project’s screening request on March 20 confirmed that a full environmental impact assessment is unnecessary. Planning officer Amelia Elvé stated that the scale and nature of the development are unlikely to cause significant environmental harm. Appropriate mitigation will address impacts on neighbors, traffic, visual appearance, landscape, and ecology.
Wedmore has experienced notable housing growth over the past decade, with 89 homes completed at Wedmore Grange and another 34 homes recently approved after extensive planning efforts. Future detailed proposals for this new site will likely be examined and decided by the local planning committee responsible for major applications in the former Sedgemoor area.