Up to 65 new homes will soon be constructed in the large Somerset village of Street, despite ongoing concerns about the safety of the proposed access road. Crossman Acquisitions Ltd., a Bath-based developer, initially submitted plans in April 2025 to build up to 71 homes on Moorland Road, near the village’s household waste recycling centre. After discussions with Somerset Council planning officers, the proposal was scaled back to 65 homes, with the developer agreeing to provide additional funding for local NHS services.
The council’s Planning Committee East, responsible for major applications in the former Mendip area, has approved the plans despite vocal local opposition regarding the safety of the development’s access point. The site is located on the northern edge of Street, bordered by village allotments and the existing Moorland Road estate. Access will be extended northward from Moorland Road, with a children’s play area planned near the entrance.
Of the 65 homes, 20 will be affordable, meeting the council’s 30% affordable housing target for developments of ten or more homes within the former Mendip area. Additionally, the developer, part of the Crossman Group, plans to create a wildflower meadow on the eastern side of the site to offset phosphate impacts, and set aside land to the west for biodiversity enhancement.
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Originally, the developer proposed a modest NHS contribution of around £1,500, but following a last-minute request from NHS Somerset, this has increased to nearly £40,000 to support services at the Vine Surgery on Hindhayes Lane.
Local resident Matthew Dobbins spoke out against the plans during the committee meeting held in Shepton Mallet on April 7, stating, “There is a fundamental failure in these plans to meet national safety standards regarding access road width. Why extend Moorland Road when Strawberry Hill offers a safer, existing route with speed-reducing features? Approving these plans knowingly creates a permanent safety hazard, contradicting national policy.”
Councillor Liz Leyshon, representing the Street division, emphasized the urgent need for affordable homes in the village. Recalling her previous efforts on social housing projects as a Mendip district councillor, she highlighted that Street still has strong demand for housing, pointing to recent and upcoming developments including a 280-home project on Somerton Road and 33 low-cost homes at Cemetery Lane.
Leyshon also noted improvements underway on the bypass, including new traffic lights, road resurfacing, and an active travel path to enhance walking and cycling access to Clarks Village and the High Street. She pointed out that two routes will serve the new development — via Grange Avenue and Cemetery Lane — and expressed hope that funds from new developments will support existing local play areas.
Councillor Helen Kay of Frome East welcomed the sustainable design features of the new homes, which include high-quality glazing, solar panels, and air source heat pumps. However, she urged consideration for ecological preservation, particularly soil protection during construction, highlighting soil’s important role as a carbon sink. She also noted that the homes will be raised 30cm above ground level to mitigate future flood risks.
After approximately an hour of debate, the committee approved the outline plans by six votes in favor, zero against, and four abstentions. A reserved matters application providing detailed design and layout information for the houses is expected before Christmas.