Twenty-four newly built homes in the village of Martock, located near the A303, could finally welcome residents before the end of the year if ongoing legal matters are resolved swiftly. Stonewater Housing Association secured planning permission in March 2024 to develop these homes on Foldhill Lane, directly opposite the La Fontana dementia nursing home.
Though construction was completed nearly a year ago, all homes remain empty due to unresolved legal issues between Stonewater and Somerset Council concerning ownership of a key strip of land near the site’s main access point. The council is actively working on a solution, having agreed with Stonewater to divide the remaining site work, aiming to facilitate occupancy as soon as possible.
The issue surfaced following complaints from David Polson, whose former partner and their four-year-old daughter are among those eagerly awaiting to move in. Indie, their daughter, is non-verbal autistic and currently lives with her mother in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) that restricts visitors for safeguarding reasons. This situation has left them feeling isolated and unsupported during their prolonged wait for an affordable rental home.
“In the midst of a housing crisis, there seems to be no urgency to put these brand-new homes into occupancy,” Mr Polson said in late February. He added that the HMO’s visitor restrictions have adversely affected Indie’s emotional well-being and development, noting the council initially described the living arrangement as temporary.
Councillor Mike Rigby, responsible for economic development, planning, and assets, provided an update in an email to Mr Polson. He explained that the disputed land is owned by neither the council nor Stonewater. To address this, highway officers and Stonewater have divided the necessary highway works into two parts: one addressing site access and the other establishing a pedestrian link to existing infrastructure.
“The revised legal agreement has been completed,” said Councillor Rigby. “Officers are prioritising delivering access works as both parties appreciate the urgency.” However, he did not provide a concrete timeframe, citing several variables affecting progress.
The council recently approved two related planning applications: one allowing off-site highway improvements after occupation, and another permitting public artwork within the development.
This project had already faced delays of nearly four years due to a county-wide phosphates crisis. Stonewater had to implement additional mitigation measures to prevent increased phosphates affecting the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Matt Crucefix, Stonewater’s Director of Development Operations, acknowledged the frustrations caused by delays and said, “We have worked with the local authority to finalise all necessary agreements. Our priority now is to progress the access works quickly, continuing to collaborate with partners to move forward.”
Efforts to resolve these issues offer hope that local families will soon be able to move into the much-needed affordable homes at Foldhill Lane.