The picturesque village of Oake, situated between Taunton and Wellington in Somerset, has secured greater influence over future housing development through the approval of its Neighbourhood Plan. Nestled between the A38 and B3227 roads, Oake and its neighboring hamlets of Heathfield, Hillcommon, and Hillfarrance have collaborated since late 2017 to create a plan that preserves the village’s unique character while guiding new growth.
Following a local referendum held on October 23, where 97% of voters supported the plan, Somerset Council has formally adopted it, incorporating it into the wider planning framework. The plan does not earmark specific sites for development but establishes a design guide to ensure that any new housing blends seamlessly with the village’s existing aesthetic.
Key green spaces, including the primary school’s playing fields, are identified for protection against development. The plan also promotes enhanced walking and cycling links within the village and connections to nearby communities such as Milverton and Norton Fitzwarren.
READ MORE: Where to Watch the Quadrantid Meteor Shower in Somerset This Weekend
READ MORE: Gary Anderson’s World Championship Renaissance Continues with Semi-Final Return
During the adoption meeting on December 10, councillors emphasized the importance of giving Neighbourhood Plans real weight in future housing decisions. Councillor Sarah Wakefield expressed concerns about plans being overlooked in the absence of a five-year housing land supply but acknowledged that villages like Oake must embrace sensible development to meet local needs.
Planning officers highlighted that the strength of Neighbourhood Plans largely depends on whether they allocate specific housing sites. Without allocations, plans may have limited power to prevent speculative developments approved on appeal, a challenge faced nationally.
Oake’s Neighbourhood Plan will become part of the existing policies from the former Taunton Deane district within Somerset Council. It will also be integrated into the forthcoming Somerset Local Plan, anticipated to be adopted by spring 2029, with public consultations for housing sites planned soon.
Councillor Wakefield urged communities to accept responsible development, stating, “We can’t pretend villages are static. People will need suitable homes, or they will move away. This plan is about shaping what we want our village to be, not about halting all development.”