Housing developers throughout Somerset are warning of potential bankruptcy due to prolonged delays in planning decisions by Somerset Council, according to local councillor Mark Healey.
Councillor Healey, representing the Huntspill division — which encompasses the Gravity enterprise zone (site of Somerset’s new gigafactory) as well as the nearby villages of Puriton and Woolavington — voiced his concerns during a full council meeting held in Bridgwater on May 20. He criticized the council’s planning service sharply, stating that developers are being “financially ruined by our inertia,” and implored both councillors and council officers to “stop making excuses” for persistent delays.
Both Puriton and Woolavington are poised for rapid expansion to support the workforce of the new gigafactory. In February, Mac Mic Strategic Land proposed plans for 400 homes west of the M5, while Persimmon Homes Severn Valley recently updated plans for the ‘West Woolavington’ development, which includes 1,550 homes, commercial spaces, and a primary school.
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At the Bridgwater meeting, Healey highlighted the council’s broader systemic issues, commenting, “Our residents are facing a total lack of response and urgency.” He referenced the case of Andy and Rachel Hancock, who endured a 15-week delay updating their council tax details and similar postponements in the planning service, where applications have taken up to two years to process.
“When did we become an authority that tells local taxpayers to get to the back of another queue? This paralysis isn’t isolated. Local land agents and developers are facing bankruptcy because our planning department is taking far too long,” Healey said. He stressed that these developers play a critical role in delivering much-needed housing and stimulating the local economy but are being hindered financially by administrative delays.
Rejecting explanations citing “restructures” and “legacy systems,” Healey demanded immediate improvements: “The public expects basic competence — they want phones answered and emails returned. What immediate action is being taken to eradicate this communication backlog? When will this authority issue a clear public statement outlining these delays?”
Council chair Mike Best acknowledged the urgency but noted that Healey’s verbal questions during the meeting differed from those submitted in writing, explaining that a prompt answer could not be provided then. Council leader Bill Revans echoed this, pledging a written response upon receipt of Healey’s formal inquiry.
In the meantime, Somerset developers and residents await decisive action to resolve the council’s planning service delays and prevent further economic and community setbacks.