Somerset Council has firmly decided that new houses planned for a small village on the Somerset Levels must be reserved for people with a genuine local connection. This ruling came in response to proposals from South West Strategic Developments to build up to 46 homes and a convenience store on the Load Pool Farm site near Othery.
In August 2024, the council approved the first phase of the project, which includes seven homes south of the A372 New Road. However, the developer, based in Epsom, Surrey, subsequently requested the removal of the clause requiring residents to have a “local connection.” This request was sparked by a reported lack of interest during the past year’s marketing efforts.
Council members expressed strong opposition to lifting this requirement, emphasizing that doing so would severely undermine local planning policies designed to protect rural communities. The site, currently occupied by agricultural buildings and located just south of Peppers Close, is planned to include two open market homes alongside self-build plots.
READ MORE: Urgent Appeal to Find Missing Bath Woman Last Seen Nearly a Month Ago
READ MORE: High-Flying Puppies Train Amid Busy Airport Crowds
Additional amenities include 15 open parking spaces and eight covered spaces, with a new access road set to link the development directly to the A372, facilitating easy commutes to Bridgwater and Langport. The original planning permissions explicitly stated that self-build homes must be occupied by individuals with an appropriate local connection, such as working in the parish or having family ties within Othery.
During the December 9 council meeting, councillors highlighted concerns about speculative development creeping into rural areas if the restriction were dropped. Conservative Councillor Bob Filmer described the risk of allowing growth that does not meet local needs as “driving a coach and horses” through established policy. Fellow Conservative councillors Gill Slocombe and Matt Martin also voiced apprehensions, with Martin suggesting the lack of market interest stemmed from the developer’s high pricing rather than demand issues.
Following a thorough discussion, the planning committee unanimously voted against removing the local connection requirement, with six councillors opposing and two abstentions. This decision underscores Somerset Council’s commitment to preserving the character and needs of its rural communities amidst ongoing development pressures.