Work may soon commence on a new crossroads along a busy road in Yeovil, potentially unlocking the construction of 252 new homes.
Yeovil LVA LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in March 2024 for a housing development on the Mudford Sock site, situated north of the A359 Mudford Road in the town’s north-eastern area. Following the approval, the land was sold to Bloor Homes South West, which plans to build the first phase—109 homes—of the development, now named “Oakmere Rise.”
The Swindon-based developer is seeking permission to build a new signalised junction that will convert the current T-junction with Lyde Road into a crossroads, creating a vital link between the new homes and Mudford Road. This upgrade will include pedestrian and cycle crossings at the estate entrance and along the southern approach, as well as an uncontrolled crossing on Lyde Road.
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Situated near the Up Mudford urban extension—where Abbey Manor Homes recently won planning approval for 765 homes, commercial spaces, a care home, and a school extension—the Oakmere Rise development promises significant growth along Yeovil’s outskirts. The Up Mudford plans were upheld in court following an unsuccessful legal challenge by Mudford Parish Council.
Additionally, plans include a new pavement along the northern side of Mudford Road to enhance safety for pedestrians heading to Fairmead School from the new estate.
A key planning condition requires that no construction, including the new crossroads, can start until the design for a “wetland cascade” system is approved. This ecological feature is intended to prevent any net increase in phosphate levels in the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area. Bloor Homes is requesting a revision to this condition that would allow work on the access road to begin prior to wetland design approval, while ensuring no homes are built or occupied before the wetlands are complete.
Colin Danks, director at Copperfield L&P Ltd representing Bloor Homes, emphasized the developer’s eagerness to begin construction soon. He stated, “There is no change to the timing of delivery, and the requested amendments enable the council to approve wetland details before housing development starts. The requirement to finalize the treatment wetland cascade before first occupation remains unchanged, so allowing the access road build to start poses no practical issues.”
Danks added that granting the amendment would facilitate timely infrastructure delivery and support accelerated housing availability, benefiting Somerset Council’s housing land supply targets.
A decision from Somerset Council on the proposal is expected by late summer. Should approval be granted, Bloor aims to begin highway improvements and construct the new junction during school holidays, minimizing disruption to the local community, Mr. Danks noted.