Construction of 185 new homes in Yeovil is set to begin later this year following the signing of crucial legal agreements. The development, led by the Abbey Manor Group and its sister company Abbey Manor Developments, will be located south of the Bunford Park business site, with access from Watercombe Lane.
The Bunford Park commercial site, which received outline approval back in March 2011, has been steadily progressing, creating hundreds of jobs along the A3088 between the Bunford Lane roundabout and Lysander Road crossroads. Now, the focus shifts to residential expansion.
In April 2025, Somerset Council’s planning committee south approved two separate applications totaling 185 homes. These homes will be built on two adjacent sites west of Watercombe Lane—nestled between the growing Bunford Park business area and the Bunford Heights housing development off the A30 West Coker Road.
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Access will be enhanced through a new junction on Watercombe Lane, potentially serving as a secondary entry point into the business park as further development proceeds. The plans also include an improved, more accessible pedestrian route between the new homes and the existing Bunford Heights development, replacing the current steep footpath.
The development will be delivered in phases: the first, closest to the main road, will comprise 100 houses divided into two groups of 53 and 47 homes. The remaining 85 properties will follow on the western site.
Affordable housing will make up only 15 percent of the total homes—equating to 28 units—which matches the provision planned for the Up Mudford urban extension to the northeast of Yeovil. Though the council aims for a 35 percent affordable housing target in the former South Somerset area, the developer has cited land viability challenges for the lower figure.
Financial contributions from the development will support the community with nearly £392,000 earmarked for early years education in Yeovil and approximately £104,000 to enhance local NHS services, focusing on the expansion of nearby medical facilities.
Additional funds will improve recreational amenities: nearly £247,000 for children’s play areas, over £144,000 for new sports changing rooms, more than £117,000 for playing pitches, and upwards of £42,000 dedicated to youth facilities.
Located within the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area, the project must mitigate any increase in phosphates to protect the Ramsar-designated wetlands. To achieve this, the developer will either buy phosphate credits generated by fallowing agricultural land elsewhere or implement alternative measures such as creating wetlands or new wastewater treatment solutions prior to construction.
Bill Cotton, interim service director for planning at Somerset Council, emphasized the suitability of the site. “The location offers sustainable access to essential services and facilities,” he said. “The proposals do not present significant adverse impacts to visual or residential amenity, highway safety, flood risk, or ecology to warrant refusal of planning permission.”