Up to 24 new homes could soon be built at the northern edge of Barton St David, a small village in Somerset, pending planning approval. Blue Spruce Ltd., a developer based in Milborne Port near Sherborne, has submitted proposals for the housing development on Main Street, located just off the busy A37 between the villages of Butleigh and Keinton Mandeville.
The project aims to address local housing demand by delivering “much-needed” homes thoughtfully designed to blend with the village’s existing character. The site, currently agricultural land within walking distance of The Barton Inn, will feature a new access road on its south-eastern corner leading onto Main Street.
Plans include dedicating the western edge of the site to public open space, a children’s play area, and landscaping to serve as a green buffer between the village and surrounding countryside. The 24 homes will vary from two to four bedrooms, with nine designated as affordable housing, aligning with Somerset Council’s target of 35% affordable units on developments with ten or more homes in the former South Somerset area.
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A spokesperson for Boon Brown Architects, representing Blue Spruce Ltd., explained that the development is “carefully designed as a low-density scheme set within an enhanced landscape,” respecting local environmental constraints and community character. The design emphasizes biodiversity and recreational spaces to create a well-balanced living environment for future residents, incorporating suitable dwellings, parking, play areas, and landscape improvements.
Barton St David sits within the River Brue catchment area, necessitating additional phosphate mitigation measures for any new construction to protect the Somerset Levels and Moors. Blue Spruce plans to offset the phosphate impact by acquiring phosphate credits generated through fallowing agricultural land elsewhere within the catchment area.
Additionally, the development will contribute over £15,000 toward expanding local healthcare services, with the funds allocated to one of four nearby doctors' surgeries.
Somerset Council is expected to reach a decision on the proposal by early summer. Meanwhile, a separate application by Blue Spruce for 45 homes on Pound Road in Broadway, near Ilminster, is also set for consideration around the same time.