The construction of 765 new homes in Yeovil will proceed as planned after a judicial review challenge brought by a neighbouring parish was dismissed by the High Court.
The Abbey Manor Group received outline planning permission from Somerset Council in October 2024 to develop the Up Mudford urban extension north of Primrose Lane. This significant project includes 765 homes, commercial spaces, a community hub, and an extension to Primrose Lane Primary School.
Council approval was finalized in July 2025 with legal agreements in place, including enhancements for walking and cycling along the A359 Mudford Hill and Lyde Road.
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Mudford Parish Council had sought a judicial review in December 2025, aiming to halt the Up Mudford development as well as a nearby 252-home project at Sock Hill. However, the High Court ruled in favour of Somerset Council on April 28, 2026, allowing the plans to move forward.
Currently, Mudford village has 339 homes, meaning the Up Mudford development along with the Sock Hill site could significantly expand the parish’s population over the coming decade.
Concerns raised by the parish council during the review included flooding risks, traffic congestion, lack of affordable housing, inadequate infrastructure, and potential anthrax contamination from historical land use.
Central to the hearing was whether Somerset Council’s planning policy mandated the actual delivery of employment land and community facilities, or if simply allocating and marketing the land met the requirements. The court accepted the developer’s argument that allocating land and marketing it to prospective operators fulfilled this obligation without guaranteeing the construction or occupation of those facilities.
Mudford Parish Council has opted not to appeal the ruling and will be responsible for £10,000 in costs under the Aarhus Convention.
James Cary, chairman of Friends of Mudford Action Group (FoMAG), expressed concern about the implications of the judgment. He highlighted that while the judicial review did not overturn permissions, it revealed significant issues in planning policies’ effectiveness in securing sustainable communities when key infrastructure and employment are not guaranteed alongside housing.
He emphasized the responsibility now on Somerset Council to rigorously enforce conditions during phasing and future planning applications to ensure promised infrastructure and employment opportunities are delivered. FoMAG plans to closely monitor these processes as reserved matters applications come forward detailing the development’s design and infrastructure timetable.
Separately, the nearby Sock Hill site, granted permission on appeal in March 2024, has been sold to Bloor Homes South West, recognized for other local developments.
Councillor Oliver Patrick, vice-chair of Somerset Council’s planning committee (south), welcomed the court’s decision, noting that while the developer must provide space for employment uses, actual occupation and construction are market-driven and not the developer’s responsibility. He reaffirmed confidence in the council’s planning staff and decision-making throughout the process.