A proposal to build 32 new homes in Milborne Port, a village on the Somerset-Dorset border, could soon move forward pending approval. The planned development will occupy a greenfield site located south of Court Lane, near Sherborne, nestled within the scenic Blackmore Vale.
Previously, Burrington Estates sought permission to construct 22 homes on this site, but those plans were rejected in February 2024. Now, Poole-based Bracken Developments Ltd. has submitted a new application to increase the number of homes to 32. Somerset Council is expected to review and decide on these plans by early summer.
Access to the proposed estate would be from the western end of Court Lane, with the inclusion of a village green at the heart of the development to provide a communal outdoor space.
READ MORE: ‘Green Wedge’ Near Taunton Protected as 125-Home Development Plan Rejected
Due to the complexities and costs associated with necessary engineering, drainage works, and relocating overhead cables across the site, none of the homes will be designated as affordable housing.
A spokesperson from Ken Parke Planning Consultants, representing Bracken Developments, described the project as a well-considered and high-quality scheme. “The development makes efficient use of land at the village edge, delivering a residential area that respects the rural setting and nearby heritage assets,” they said.
The homes themselves will consist of spacious two- and three-bedroom houses, each featuring generous living areas and sizable outdoor garden spaces. Alongside the village green, the plan includes a play area and additional green spaces throughout the site.
Milborne Port has experienced significant housing growth over the past decade. Developers have increasingly focused on this village and nearby Henstridge and Templecombe amid delays in larger Somerset settlements.
Recent developments include The Hamlets—46 homes built by Bovis Homes on Gainsborough at the village’s western entrance near the A30 Sherborne Road, completed in May 2021. Redcliffe Homes is wrapping up its Gascoigne Park development on Station Road, comprising 65 homes, a convenience store, and a community hub. Plans also exist for an additional 58 homes on Wheathill Lane to the east.
The council’s decision on the outline planning application for the Court Lane site is anticipated by early summer.