Plans to expand facilities at North Farm on the outskirts of the small Somerset village of Pawlett have been officially approved. Located off the A38 Bristol Road between Bridgwater and Highbridge, North Farm currently hosts ‘CluckyMoo’, a quaint farm shop that has provided locally sourced milk, eggs, cream and homemade cakes since 2020.
The existing small structure has gained considerable popularity within the local community. Recognising increasing demand, owner Steph Heal submitted proposals in April to replace the current building with a larger facility that includes a new café and two holiday lets.
Somerset Council has now endorsed these plans, paving the way for construction to commence later this year. The current site is accessed from the southern edge of Pawlett via a road with uneven surfaces and a limited car park that often reaches capacity.
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Under the approved scheme, a number of stone barns on the farm will be converted and extended to house an expanded farm shop open daily from 10am to 5pm. The upgraded shop will feature a kitchen, restrooms and a modest café space, enabling a broader selection of produce and refreshments to be offered to visitors, thereby increasing revenue opportunities for the farm.
Alongside the farm shop, two holiday lets will be constructed-one with a single bedroom and another with two bedrooms. These accommodations will retain many aesthetic features of the original barns, including distinctive brick pillars.
A spokesperson from Greenslade Taylor Hunt, representing the applicant, highlighted that the new farm shop aims to replace the current shed which no longer meets the needs arising from increased customer numbers. The shop will continue to primarily sell farm-produced goods alongside provisions for other local producers, such as cakes and baked items.
Parking improvements are part of the development, with spaces provided within the farmyard, including designated disabled parking east of the new shop. Additionally, secure bicycle parking will be available near the shop entrance. Holiday let parking will utilise the existing gravelled area serving the farm shop, with a new pedestrian access created through a gap in the wall.
The council’s planning officers approved the application under delegated powers, bypassing the formal public planning committee process typically reserved for major developments in the former Sedgemoor area.
Construction is expected to start within the coming year. Meanwhile, the current CluckyMoo shed will remain operational, maintaining its existing opening hours to continue serving the community without interruption during the development.
This expansion is eagerly anticipated to enhance local amenities and support the rural economy in Pawlett and its surrounding areas.