The ambitious plan to build 765 new homes on the northern edge of Yeovil may be at risk due to a judicial review initiated by Mudford Parish Council. The Abbey Manor Group obtained outline planning permission from Somerset Council in October 2024 for the Up Mudford urban extension, which includes residential housing, commercial spaces, a community hub, and an expansion of Primrose Lane Primary School.
Although the council finalized the legal agreements for the development in July—covering enhancements such as walking and cycling routes along A359 Mudford Hill and Lyde Road—opposition remains strong. The Friends of Mudford Action Group (FOMAG) and Mudford Parish Council argue the development threatens to worsen flooding, strain local services, increase traffic, and fail to provide sufficient affordable housing.
FOMAG held a public meeting on September 11 to rally local residents against the project. Chairman James Cary emphasized the group’s concerns: “We’re not against development—people need places to live—but flooding and sewerage problems have become increasingly evident over the past year.”
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Mudford Parish Councillor and FOMAG member Robin Bowring criticized the Section 106 agreement underpinning the project as vaguely worded and failing to meet national planning standards. Bowring highlighted the lack of review mechanisms and discrepancies with local policy. He also revealed the agreement was signed before the parish council could obtain legal advice, prompting a pre-action protocol letter to Somerset Council signaling intent to pursue judicial review.
Following barrister input, the parish council unanimously voted in August to proceed with the legal challenge despite expected costs of £12,000, plus potential additional expenses if the case escalates. Bowring noted, “The High Court’s response may take until late October or even Christmas,” and estimated a full hearing could cost £45,000, with further expenses if the developer appeals.
The parish council plans to complement the judicial review with a formal complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman regarding inadequate consultation during the agreement’s formation. Additionally, a “letter of concern” addressing alleged dismissive attitudes by Council planning officers is being sent to senior officials and local MPs, with signatures collected via FOMAG’s Facebook page.
James Cary stressed the wider implications beyond Mudford: “Other nearby parishes are equally invested because the problems with this development affect the entire area.” He also emphasized the interdependency between the Up Mudford site and a neighboring 252-home development approved on A359 Mudford Road, which relies on the same infrastructure improvements.
As the community mobilizes fundraising efforts to support the judicial review, the outcome remains uncertain. The legal challenge marks a critical juncture in Yeovil’s housing expansion plans amid growing local resistance.