Somerset councillors have unanimously approved plans for 18 new homes near the well-known Old Oak Farm wedding venue in Curry Rivel, despite community concerns over the capacity of local sewage systems.
West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd submitted the proposal in September 2023 to build homes on Abbey Close, adjacent to the wedding venue located on Back Lane. Earlier in September, Somerset Council permitted the venue to expand slightly with a new workshop for hairdressing, beauty, and wedding dress services.
The development site is a greenfield area on the village’s eastern edge, bordered by Brickwall Lane and Drayton Lane. The plan includes extending the Abbey Close cul-de-sac to provide access, while maintaining the nearby children’s play area and adding a new pedestrian route onto Back Lane.
READ MORE: Glastonbury Urgently Needs Action on Unsafe and Unsuitable Caravan Living Conditions
READ MORE: Met Office Issues Weather Warning as Cyclones Humberto and Imelda Approach UK
Of the 18 homes, six will be affordable, approaching the council’s 35% affordable housing target for developments exceeding ten units in the former South Somerset district. An attenuation pond will be constructed alongside Drayton Lane to help mitigate flood risks from the new housing.
Local resident Barbara Hamlin voiced objections on behalf of neighbours during the planning committee meeting, expressing worries about the development’s proximity to the Drayton conservation area, which regularly hosts wildlife like deer, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, and buzzards. She also emphasized that the proposed road would encroach on a well-maintained grassy area used safely by children for play away from traffic.
Drayton Parish Council chairman Bill Covington highlighted significant sewage capacity issues, noting that an existing nine-inch pipe beneath School Street handles wastewater for roughly 1,000 homes. Recent incidents involved effluent overflow onto School Street, requiring multiple clean-ups during the previous winter. Covington underscored the challenges Wessex Water faces in keeping up with demands amid ongoing housing growth.
This development is among many in South Somerset affected by the phosphate crisis, where additional mitigation is required to prevent rising phosphate levels in the Somerset Levels and Moors. To offset the impact of the new homes, the developer will purchase phosphate credits from a local provider that upgrades septic tanks in the River Parrett and River Tone catchments.
Councillor Mike Stanton acknowledged the serious sewage flooding problems experienced on School Street and stressed the necessity for sewer improvements to ensure the new homes do not exacerbate existing issues.
Planning officer Dawn de Vries reassured the committee that Wessex Water has capacity at the sewage collection point, although network-wide capacity remains a concern. She noted that any improvements required would be coordinated between the developer and Wessex Water as part of infrastructure responsibilities. This assurance, alongside a formal planning condition addressing sewage system upgrades, led to the unanimous approval of the housing plan after an extensive 90-minute debate.