A new Neighbourhood Plan aimed at maintaining and enhancing the character of the historic Somerset village of Hatch Beauchamp has been officially approved following a successful referendum.
Situated just east of the busy A358 between Taunton and Ilminster, Hatch Beauchamp is a small village with a population of around 620 residents. Since 2021, the community has worked closely on developing its Neighbourhood Plan, which sets out the anticipated housing needs up to 2040 while highlighting key local amenities and green spaces residents wish to protect and improve.
On 25 June, an emphatic majority voted in favour of the plan at a local referendum. Subsequently, on 22 July, Somerset Council’s planning and transport police executive sub-committee formally adopted the Neighbourhood Plan. This means it will play a central role in guiding future development decisions within the parish.
READ MORE: ‘Amazing’ Waterspout Over Bristol Channel Captured in Photos
READ MORE: Somerset Council to Sell Large Farm Near A303 to Support Front-Line Services
Hatch Beauchamp boasts a rich history as the base of the Beauchamp family, an ancient lineage which established itself in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The family were granted extensive estates in Somerset as a reward for their loyalty to King William I. Their manor, located at the northern edge of the village where Hatch Court now stands, was once home to notable figures such as Edward Seymour, Lord Protector during King Edward VI’s reign. Seymour, brother to Jane Seymour-King Henry VIII’s third wife-lost his manor and title following his execution in 1552.
The current Hatch Court dates from the 1750s and remains privately owned. However, both residents and visitors can access the grounds via a public footpath leading to St John’s Church, which continues to hold services every month. The churchyard is also the final resting place of Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard, a Victoria Cross recipient famed for his gallantry during the defence of Rourke’s Drift.
More recently, Hatch Beauchamp was home to former Australian Test cricketer and coach Justin Langer, who played for Somerset County Cricket Club between 2006 and 2009.
Beyond its historical significance, the village offers a range of local amenities including The Hatch Inn public house, which incorporates a village shop, a garage, primary school, village hall, playing fields, and Hatch Green Coaches, who operate several local bus routes and school transport services.
Pippa Fowler, chair of the parish council, emphasised the community’s commitment to safeguarding the village’s character and boosting local biodiversity. She highlighted the extensive engagement with residents of all ages during the plan’s development, including consultations with schoolchildren. “In exchange for pizzas, our teenagers offered great ideas which led to the installation of a new outdoor table tennis table beside the village hall,” she said.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, praised the parish council’s work over the past years. “Neighbourhood Plans provide an important means for communities to manage inevitable change and exercise local control,” he explained.
The plan estimates a need for 27 affordable homes by 2040 to meet local demand, although it does not allocate specific development sites. Council leader Bill Revans raised concerns about whether this quantity would support the sustainability of the village primary school. “We want to ensure the school remains open. Providing suitable homes in the right locations is a priority for the council,” he stated.
Ann Rhodes, the council’s principal planning policy officer, acknowledged the challenge but noted that the school serves a wider area beyond the parish. She reassured that affordable housing would be prioritised for those with local connections, such as residents, their families, or workers nearby.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for highways and transport, described Hatch Beauchamp as “a very interesting village,” noting its character partly reflects the decision not to proceed with plans to dual the A358. He recalled cycling through the village as a child and remarked on the importance of the existing A358, often referred to as the Hatch Beauchamp bypass. He added that proposals to upgrade the road had faced some local opposition over concerns it might impede village access.
Councillor Rigby reflected that while the dualling proposal was controversial locally, it appears unlikely to progress for some time.
“The plan is designed to maintain and enhance the character of our village, and to increase the biodiversity of our local landscape.”
- Pippa Fowler, Chair of Hatch Beauchamp Parish Council