Ilminster is set to see nearly 100 new homes as part of the initial phase of a substantial housing project south of Canal Way. Persimmon Homes South West has received outline planning permission from Somerset Council to build up to 360 homes in this key development near The Meadows doctors' surgery.
Although the council’s Planning Committee South granted outline permission in January 2024, the legal agreements between the council and the developer—including necessary contributions towards improving the Stop Line Way active travel route—were finalized only in December 2025. Now, detailed plans for the first phase, consisting of 97 homes, have been submitted. The council is expected to make a decision on this proposal later this year.
The first phase focuses on the eastern end of the site, where access will be remodelled from the Canal Way roundabout to improve connectivity to the medical centre and surrounding buildings. The southern arm of the roundabout will be extended further south to create new junctions into the medical centre car park and an adjacent plot, originally intended for a primary school but now likely to be sold for additional development.
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Central to the site’s layout is a spine road that curves westward, with new homes branching off into cul-de-sacs alongside pedestrian footpaths. This spine road will feature a dedicated cycle lane connecting to the existing National Cycle Network route 33, known locally as Stop Line Way, which runs along the southern side of Canal Way.
Pedestrian infrastructure will also be enhanced, with two new crossings planned—one near the medical facilities and another on Canal Way linking to the Lower Meadows pedestrian route. Recreation amenities include a new play area and a multi-use games area (MUGA) situated near the Archie Gooch pavilion on the eastern edge of the development, alongside generous green spaces weaving into the Herne Hill nature reserve.
Of the 97 homes in this phase, 33 will be affordable housing units, fulfilling Somerset Council’s requirement for a 35% affordable housing quota on developments of ten homes or more within the former South Somerset area.
Carney Sweeney, acting on behalf of the developer, commented, “Vehicle parking is thoughtfully arranged through a mix of on-plot, on-street, and courtyard spaces, all overlooked by neighboring properties. On-plot parking is generally set back from the street to minimize visual impact, with larger properties including garages. This scale of development aligns with the character and form of existing residential areas nearby.”
A final decision on this initial phase is anticipated before summer, and due to the project’s size, the ruling will likely be made in a public meeting by the council’s Planning Committee South rather than through delegated officer powers.