The Duchy of Cornwall, owned by Prince William, is set to develop a substantial residential project in Somerset, planning to build 620 homes alongside a new primary school, nursery, care home, and local centre in Shepton Mallet. This initiative, in partnership with housing developer C G Fry and Son Ltd, has already received provisional approval from Somerset Council, pending final environmental safeguards.
The development will be situated on the Duchy-owned Mid Somerset Showground at Cannard’s Grave Road. It aims to create a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood featuring a minimum of 30% affordable housing, public open spaces including a community orchard and play areas, and sustainable travel infrastructure.
A key issue influencing the project is the potential phosphate pollution in the Somerset Levels and Moors, a protected wetland area vulnerable to nutrient enrichment. A Dutch court ruling previously halted thousands of new homes across Somerset due to concerns about increased water phosphate levels contributing to damaging algal blooms.
READ MORE: NHS Advises Parents on When to Keep Children Home as Schools Reopen
READ MORE: NHS Advises Consulting Your Doctor Before Taking Tibolone in 12 Key Situations
To address this, the Duchy and council have committed to phosphate mitigation measures, including participation in phosphate credit schemes that offset the environmental impact by funding nutrient reduction projects off-site. Recent developments indicate that these credits have become more accessible, reducing prior barriers to approval.
The project includes progressive drainage solutions such as sustainable urban drainage systems with attenuation swales and basins to manage surface water efficiently and reduce flood risks.
While some local concerns were raised regarding flooding, the proposed number of homes, and proximity of the school and care home to main roads, the planning committee generally expressed support, noting no formal objections to the application.
Construction may begin as early as 2027, following the upcoming council vote to finalize conditions related to nutrient neutrality and environmental protections.