The cherished view from Brent Knoll, a prominent Somerset landmark near Burnham-on-Sea, faces a significant transformation if proposals to build 2,000 new homes near the hill move ahead.
Brent Knoll rises 137 metres (449ft) and is managed by the National Trust. It is a well-loved walking destination, known for its historical beacon lighting during royal jubilees and the crosses raised each Easter at its summit. From the top, visitors enjoy sweeping vistas of Somerset, including sights of Weston-super-Mare, Brean Down, the Bristol Channel, and the Hinkley Point construction site.
However, these views may be dramatically changed by Barratt Homes Bristol’s plan to develop 2,000 houses on the eastern edge of Burnham-on-Sea. This proposal is part of the new Somerset Local Plan and could effectively extend the town with a housing estate as large as the Orchard Grove development currently underway in Taunton.
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The area around Brent Knoll, whose name likely stems from the Old English word “brant” meaning “steep,” has a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. Archaeological evidence of an Iron Age hill fort remains at its summit. Historically called “Mons Ranarum” or the “isle of frogs,” the hill served as a refuge during floods on the Somerset Levels.
Barratt first revealed the housing plans in January 2024, targeting land between Brent Road (B3140) and Brent Broad, primarily in the parish of Brent Knoll. Though the site was not included in the Sedgemoor Local Plan, Barratt proposes a significant affordable housing component—approximately 30%, equating to 600 homes.
Though no detailed masterplan has been released, initial proposals mention a new primary school, extensive public green spaces, and community amenities such as shops or a health centre. Additionally, the development may include a relief road to improve access to the M5 motorway and ease holiday traffic through Burnham-on-Sea, complementing planned upgrades at the Edithmead roundabout in Highbridge.
A spokesperson for Barratt Redrow stated: “We remain committed to the long-term development of the land at Burnham-on-Sea. We are promoting the site through the Somerset Local Plan process and have registered it as a potential development area. Changes in national planning regulations have delayed the Local Plan, but we will engage in the process as it progresses. There are no plans for further public consultation at this stage.”
The first consultation stage for the Somerset Local Plan runs from June 19 to July 24 and focuses on the plan’s strategic vision rather than specific sites. Somerset Council highlights the urgency to complete the Local Plan within 30 months, emphasizing residents’ early opportunities to influence its content.
A council representative said, “Producing a local plan for such a large area is a significant challenge, but we have made progress on parts of the plan. This initial consultation allows the public to help shape policies and the overall vision before site-specific discussions begin.”
The future of Brent Knoll’s iconic landscape hangs in the balance as this major housing proposal unfolds, potentially redefining one of Somerset’s most beloved viewpoints.