Plans to build 24 new homes in Milverton, described as one of Somerset’s “most important and attractive” villages, have been unanimously rejected by local councillors following nearly four years of consideration.
Developer R & K Building Ltd. submitted the application in October 2022 to construct the homes on agricultural land adjacent to the existing Tuckersmead development, located on Butts Way at the western edge of the village.
The proposal included 24 dwellings, predominantly featuring four or more bedrooms, with six designated as affordable homes to meet the council’s 25% target for such properties in developments of ten or more homes within the former Taunton Deane area. The plan also involved creating a new access road from Butts Way and providing 64 parking spaces for residents.
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Despite planning officers initially recommending approval, the application faced significant opposition from local residents, parish representatives, and councillors. Concerns centred around the suitability of the site, the design of the houses, road safety, and infrastructure provision.
Neighbouring property owner Tom Boxall criticised the plans for not aligning with the Taunton Deane development plan, expressing worries about the scale and impact on neighbouring homes. Milverton Parish Council’s clerk, Kathryn Howard, challenged claims of adequate public transport, highlighting the limited bus service schedules serving the village.
Councillors raised further issues during the Somerset Council planning committee west meeting on 25 August. Gwilym Wren, representing the Upper Tone division, supported development in principle but labelled the proposed access arrangements as “highly inadequate, problematic and dangerous,” cautioning that Butts Way’s character would be irrevocably altered.
Similarly, Councillor Dave Mansell suggested that shared access with Tuckersmead had not been sufficiently explored and emphasised the lack of safe pedestrian routes into the village. Councillor Andy Hadley referenced objections from the council’s own highways officers, noting a heightened risk of collisions due to the planned road access.
Design concerns were notably expressed by Councillor Stephen Pugsley, who compared the architectural style of the proposed homes to post-war Soviet-era structures, specifically the Nowa Huta district near Krakow, Poland. He stressed the importance of sensitive development in Milverton and criticised the proposed housing designs as failing to respect local character, despite acknowledging the value of affordable housing.
After nearly two hours of discussion, the committee unanimously voted to refuse the planning application, responding to the combined issues raised by the community, planning officers, and councillors alike.