Revised plans for the construction of nearly 60 new homes in a Somerset town have been given the green light by local council members. Curo, the housing association, initially submitted plans in August 2022 for 60 new homes, a number later reduced to 54, on the Underhill Farm site located on Orchard Vale, on the western edge of Midsomer Norton.
Despite being rejected by Somerset Council’s planning committee east in November 2023 due to concerns about the strain on local amenities and the logistics of students traveling to schools, Curo submitted revised plans in early 2024, along with an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The amended proposals have now garnered the support of committee members. However, the final approval will hinge on the decision of Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Council members, as the site falls within the jurisdiction of Somerset Council.
Originally designated for development within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, the site was later eliminated from the plan following a successful judicial review and has not been reallocated. The development is set to include 16 affordable homes, meeting the council’s 30 percent target for any new development comprising ten homes or more in the former Mendip area.
READ MORE: Delays in Yeovil’s New Cycle Route Construction Push Completion Date to Christmas
READ MORE: Butcombe Brewery Creates 1,000 Christmas Puddings at Somerset Foodworks Hub
Despite concerns raised by local residents, the majority of committee members believe that the revised plans represent an improvement on the previous proposals. The decision to approve the plans was reached after an hour-long debate, with eight members voting in favor and four against.