Plans to build 140 new homes on Dancing Hill, located at the western edge of North Petherton near the Globe Inn, have cleared their first administrative hurdle.
In June, Bloor Homes South West submitted a screening request to Somerset Council as the first step in developing the site. The council’s planning officers have now approved this request, determining that a full environmental impact assessment will not be required before a formal planning application is submitted.
Bloor Homes, which is also pursuing approval to construct 225 homes on Rhode Lane in Bridgwater, is expected to present detailed plans for the Dancing Hill site early next year. The proposed homes will be concentrated in the central section of the site between High Street and Hulkshay Farm. The north and south ends of the site are planned for attenuation basins and public open spaces to support sustainable drainage and community use.
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Access improvements include a comprehensive redesign of the existing junction where Dancing Lane, High Street, and North Street converge. High Street will be rerouted through the development, emerging at a new junction near Whiting Lane. Additionally, a new walking and cycling route will be created along the southern portion of the site, linking Hulkshay Lane and Watery Lane, enhancing existing public rights of way.
In line with council policy, 30% of the homes—about 42 properties—are set aside to be affordable housing, meeting local demand and community needs.
Mark Richards, planning consultant at Greenslade Taylor Hunt representing Bloor Homes, stated: “The development features extensive public open spaces, sustainable urban drainage systems, habitat improvements, and infrastructure upgrades. The range of housing types will reflect what the community needs. Although there will be some visual impact typical of development this size, it remains localized and manageable. The local road network can accommodate the additional traffic from this development.”
North Petherton has experienced considerable housing growth recently, with three sizable estates already completed on its southern edge: Royal View (130 homes by Barratt Homes), Chaucer’s Meadow (72 homes by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley), and Batts Meadow (33 homes by West of England Developments). Further residential projects are currently in early planning stages, including Gladman Developments’ 190-home proposal east of Newton Road, and North Petherton LVA LLP’s 175-home scheme west of Taunton Road near the rugby club entrance.
At the northern edge of town, West of England Developments has submitted plans for 64 homes south of Park Lane, including community amenities such as a medical centre, scout hut, and junior cricket pitch. These projects complement the Bridgwater Gateway development of 511 homes near junction 24 of the M5, located within the North Petherton parish boundary.
Principal planning officer Ellena Fletcher emphasized that the screening approval does not indicate full support for the project and does not predetermine the outcome of the formal planning application. “The development is unlikely to have significant environmental effects, but this opinion does not imply that all potential planning impacts are acceptable or that the scheme complies fully with planning policies.”
A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted early next year, moving the development closer to becoming a reality.