A decision on the proposed development of 56 new homes near King Ina Church of England Academy in Somerton has been postponed by Somerset Council’s planning committee south.
Bloor Homes South West, currently constructing the Somerton Mead estate north of Bancombe Road, submitted plans in September 2024 to extend the housing estate north of Bradley Hill Lane. This extension would place the new homes just yards from the primary school.
The committee, responsible for major applications in the former South Somerset area, was expected to approve the plans at their meeting in Yeovil on April 21. However, councillors voted overwhelmingly to delay the decision pending additional information about access routes and child safety concerns.
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The site is an L-shaped parcel north of Bradley Hill Lane, bordered by the school and land designated for expanding the academy’s playing fields. Access to the new homes would be provided by extending Maple Drive across Bradley Hill Lane, including a raised traffic island and give way markings to maintain two-way traffic flow. Originally, the plan proposed 65 homes, but this was reduced to 56 after negotiations with planning officers.
Of the 56 homes planned—ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses—20 will be affordable, meeting the council’s 35% target. This affordable housing includes 16 social rent units and four shared ownership homes. The development also features a new children’s play area near the site entrance and an attenuation pond to manage flood risk.
Bloor Homes will contribute nearly £616,000 to local schools, with £469,000 allocated to King Ina Academy and nearly £147,000 earmarked for early years provision. Additionally, about £167,000 will support local youth facilities, playing pitches, and changing rooms, potentially benefiting the Recreation Ground off Langport Road. Over £35,000 will go toward expanding the Buttercross Health Centre, which is in the process of merging with six other local surgeries.
Councillor Tim Kerley, representing the Somerton division, voiced concerns regarding increased flooding risks despite the proposed attenuation pond. He highlighted existing drainage bottlenecks near the school, which have led to frequent flooding and water ingress in nearby homes. Kerley emphasized that adding homes would exacerbate these drainage challenges.
Given that Somerton lies within the River Cary catchment, the development must offset any increase in phosphates impacting the Somerset Levels and Moors. Bloor Homes plans to purchase phosphate credits from elsewhere in the catchment, allowing construction to proceed before the town’s wastewater treatment plant upgrades scheduled for 2030.
Kerley also pointed out infrastructure challenges caused by the development, including reduced road access to a local trading estate and frequent flooding that traps residents. He underscored the urgent need for clear solutions, stating, “There are some really difficult questions that need to be answered.”
Councillor Peter Seib, from the Liberal Democrats, raised safety concerns about children walking to and from the school through the new development. He questioned the safety of walking routes near the raised road and attenuation pond, especially for unsupervised young children accessing the play area.
After discussion, the planning committee voted eight to one to defer the decision. The next meeting to review the application is scheduled for May 19 at 2 pm in Yeovil.