The Duchy of Cornwall, in partnership with housing developer C G Fry and Son Ltd, has submitted ambitious plans to build 620 new homes on the Mid Somerset Showground in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. The development will also feature a new primary school, a care home, and a local center, creating a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood.
Somerset Council initially approved the application in September 2025. However, councillors are set to vote on January 6 to address environmental concerns, specifically potential river pollution linked to phosphate levels.
This development follows the Dutch N court ruling, which halted the construction of 12,000 homes across Somerset due to high phosphate levels threatening local water ecology, particularly in the protected Somerset Levels and Moors wetlands. Elevated phosphates, stemming from agricultural runoff and sewage, contribute to harmful algal blooms that disrupt aquatic ecosystems.
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To comply with environmental guidelines, the Duchy and its partners will participate in phosphate credit schemes, with developers paying to offset phosphate impacts elsewhere. These credits cost roughly £34,000 per kilogram of phosphate removed. Somerset Council has also secured £9.6 million in government grants to fund further mitigation efforts.
Recent updates indicate that phosphate credits are now more accessible, removing the need for a Reservation Notice previously required to proceed. Instead, the applicants must continue assessing nutrient neutrality and outline precise phosphate mitigation strategies.
The proposed development will comprise up to 620 homes, with a commitment that over 30% be affordable housing. Additional features include a care home, a new primary school and nursery, a local center with convenience retail or office space, and public open spaces including playgrounds and a community orchard. Sustainable drainage solutions and active travel measures are incorporated to address flood risks and environmental impact.
While some concerns have been raised about flooding, drainage, housing density, and the placement of community facilities relative to the main road, the planning committee meeting minutes note overall support with no formal objections.
If all approvals proceed smoothly, construction is anticipated to begin in 2027, promising a significant boost to local housing and community infrastructure in Shepton Mallet.