Somerset’s housing strategy faces potential setbacks as a critical rural development project encounters significant obstacles. Mendip District Council initially earmarked 37 sites for housing growth in its Local Plan Part II, approved in December 2021. However, after a successful judicial review by Norton St. Philip Parish Council in December 2022, five sites—three near Midsomer Norton and two close to Frome in Beckington and Norton St. Philip—were removed from consideration.
Following the district council’s dissolution in April 2023, Somerset Council proposed alternative sites to the Planning Inspectorate in October 2024. The revised Local Plan Part II was formally adopted by the council on September 25, 2025. Yet, difficulties in advancing development on one pivotal site have raised concerns about the plan’s viability.
Councillor Philip Ham, representing Mendip Central and East, highlighted issues with the Anchor Road site in Coleford, slated for 63 new homes. “The reserved matters application is stalled due to complications from coal mining reports and sewerage infrastructure,” he explained during the council meeting in Bridgwater. “Can we claim costs from the planning inspectorate? The fault lies with their decisions, not Mendip District Council’s. We’ve incurred thousands in expenses trying to resolve this.”
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The site gained outline planning permission in October 2021 after Gladman Developments won an appeal. A reserved matters application regarding the homes’ design and layout was submitted in October 2024 but remains undecided. Separate concerns regarding Coleford’s sewage capacity surfaced in June 2025 during another public inquiry concerning a 75-home proposal by Rainier Developments on the opposite side of Anchor Road. Although this plan was approved due to the council’s failure to defend the appeal, it underscores broader infrastructure challenges.
Councillor Mike Rigby, responsible for economic development and planning, acknowledged the difficulties but maintained optimism: “The process isn’t finished yet. If the site ultimately proves undeliverable, we may need to identify alternative locations.”
Failing to deliver allocated sites in Mendip’s Local Plan Part II could expose the council to speculative developments on unplanned areas lacking adequate infrastructure or community services.
Regarding potential cost recoveries, council legal counsel Kehinde Awojobi confirmed, “Unfortunately, we cannot claim costs from the planning inspectorate.”
Looking ahead, Somerset aims to approve its comprehensive Local Plan by March 2029, with progress reviews scheduled in upcoming planning and transport committee meetings.