Plans to construct 150 new homes and commercial premises near the A303 in Ilminster have been officially scrapped, nearly six years after the initial proposal. The site in question is the former Horlicks factory on Station Road (B3168), located at Ilminster’s western entrance.
The Irish developer, Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd., first submitted the redevelopment plans in January 2019. However, the decision-making process faced long delays due to the coronavirus pandemic and an ongoing phosphate pollution crisis. Developers needed to secure additional mitigation measures to prevent further phosphate increases impacting the sensitive Somerset Levels and Moors.
In November 2024, Dairygold submitted revised plans which included phosphate credits for mitigation and an expanded green buffer between the site and the nearby Southfields enterprise park, home to businesses such as Costa Coffee and McDonald’s. Despite these adjustments, the developer has now formally withdrawn the application. No official explanation has been offered on the council’s planning portal.
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The site straddles Station Road, which connects Ilminster to the A303 and A358 via the often-congested Southfields roundabout. Under the revised proposal, all 150 homes would have been located north of Station Road, concentrating up to 53 affordable homes to meet the council’s 35% target. Meanwhile, commercial properties—including potential light industrial units, a car dealership, and a drive-thru—were planned for the southern side covering more than 23,000 square meters.
Two new access points were planned on Station Road, staggered to improve traffic safety without implementing signal-controlled crossroads near the busy A303 junction.
Locally, Isle Abbotts Parish Council strongly opposed the development over concerns related to flooding and overwhelmed infrastructure. Parish clerk Kim Larsson highlighted the area’s history of severe flooding, including major incidents in October 2021, which heavily impacted nearby residential areas such as Holway House Park and Home Farm Park. She emphasized that increased surface water runoff from the development could worsen flooding both locally and in neighboring areas, straining existing drainage systems and infrastructure.
The River Isle borders the site to the west, and a council Section 19 flood report recommended multiple measures to reduce flood risks in the area, including natural flood management schemes and changes in local farming practices.
Despite persistent local concerns and environmental challenges, no further communication regarding the withdrawal has been provided by Dairygold. Council chief planning officer Alison Blom-Cooper simply noted on the official portal: “The application is now withdrawn.”