The former cattle market site in Yeovil town centre is being considered for redevelopment into up to 100 new homes as part of Somerset Council’s new Local Plan, which outlines housing and employment allocations through 2045.
Somerset Council recently launched the initial public consultation phase for its Local Plan, an essential strategy document that guides future development across the county. This process began with the publication of the Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), which evaluates all sites submitted during the council’s early-2025 “call for sites” campaign. Developers, landowners, and promoters were invited to propose locations for potential growth.
Among the sites assessed, the former cattle market—located south of Reckleford (A30) and Market Street in Yeovil—has garnered attention from local councillors. They believe it could accommodate around 100 new homes, offering a significant opportunity to revitalize this central brownfield location.
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Councillors Mike Hewitson and Oliver Patrick, who represent the Coker division near Yeovil, addressed the proposal in their latest newsletter. They emphasized the importance of up-to-date Local Plans in meeting government housing targets, while clarifying that the HELAA stage only assesses site suitability and does not grant planning permission.
Historically, the cattle market site was a flagship project in the Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme, which was backed by nearly £10 million from the previous Conservative government’s Future High Streets Fund. However, this component was cancelled in August 2024 following a government change in July 2024, which refocused the programme’s remaining funds on the Glovers Walk development and smaller town centre projects. Improvements to the nearby Poundland store were also halted.
Despite this setback, the current site owners have submitted the cattle market land for consideration in the Local Plan, proposing its use for approximately 100 homes. The council’s planning officers have rated the site as “potentially suitable” for regeneration purposes, suggesting that central government funding could be leveraged to unlock its redevelopment potential.
The officers noted that the site is primarily promoted for residential use rather than economic development. Its location next to multiple highways suggests that access points can be established relatively easily. While some challenges exist, developers anticipate that these constraints can be resolved.
Residents and stakeholders interested in shaping Somerset’s future are encouraged to participate in the ongoing Local Plan consultation before the deadline on July 24. Results from this first consultation round will be published in early November. Further consultation stages, providing more detailed proposals for development sites, are slated for September 2027 and March 2028. After these phases, the plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for review, which may include additional public hearings.
If all stages proceed as planned, Somerset Council expects to formally adopt the new Local Plan on March 16, 2029, marking a new chapter for housing and regeneration in Yeovil and beyond.