Nearly 100 new affordable homes could soon be built near Chard, pending approval of updated plans. The Crossman Group secured outline permission in March 2024 to develop 95 homes along the B3167 Perry Street, situated on the southern edge of South Chard, close to the Devon-Somerset border.
After obtaining permission on appeal, the site was listed for sale by Greenslade Taylor Hunt. Now, Somerset Council has approved modifications to the original plans, clearing the way for housing association LiveWest to submit a fresh development proposal later this year.
The initial outline approval included several conditions, such as deadlines for submitting detailed reserved matters applications. Originally, five plots were set aside for self-build projects. However, removing this self-build requirement will allow LiveWest, a registered provider of affordable housing, to proceed more quickly and efficiently.
READ MORE: Bird Flu Surveillance Zone Maintained Across Somerset Levels
READ MORE: Drink-Drive Limit Lowered in Landmark UK Road Safety Strategy
Matt Frost, director at LRM Planning, explained, “As a registered housing provider, LiveWest cannot offer open market self-build plots. Instead, those plots will now be developed as affordable homes, increasing the overall affordable housing supply and better meeting local needs.”
The original permission stipulated that at least 35% of the homes—approximately 33 properties—must be affordable. Additionally, the developer must contribute over £894,000 towards local education, including nearly £334,000 for Holyrood Academy and more than £502,000 for a new primary school on the academy site.
Council principal planning officer Tim Marsh noted that the proposed removal of self-build plots is considered a non-material change, as local planning policies do not currently require self-build housing provision. This adjustment is not expected to affect the overall approval process.
While LiveWest has yet to announce a timeline for submitting detailed plans, the development’s scale means the final decision will be made publicly by the council’s southern planning committee.