Proposals have been submitted for the construction of up to 30 new homes near the playing fields in Ashill, a small village in Somerset. The site is located south of Windmill Hill Lane, adjacent to the village’s recreation ground at the eastern edge of Ashill. This location is within walking distance of key village amenities including the primary school, village hall, Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the new St. Mary’s Green housing estate developed by Summerfield Homes.
The developer, MJL Holdings (SW) Ltd., plans to access the site via Windmill Hill Lane, which will require the removal of part of the existing hedgerow. The housing layout is designed to wrap around the playing fields and Parsonage Lane. To create a transition between new and existing properties, pedestrian pathways will be established behind the hedge, linking the development to the playing fields and nearby public rights of way.
An attenuation pond is also proposed at the north-eastern corner of the site to mitigate the risk of localised flooding impacting both the new homes and existing village properties. The new homes will vary in size from two to five bedrooms; however, only one affordable property-a specialised and adapted four-bedroom bungalow-is included in the plans.
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A spokesperson for Polden Planning, representing the applicant, explained that further affordable housing could not be provided due to the “abnormal” and significant costs associated with phosphate mitigation measures required to offset the environmental impact of the development. The estimated cost for off-site phosphate credits is £524,700, excluding VAT.
The spokesperson also highlighted additional benefits of the proposal, stating:
“There would be enhancement of community facilities through the provision of off-site play and open space contributions, NHS contributions and payments through the community infrastructure levy (CIL). The application is commensurate with the scale and character of Ashill as per previous planning and appeal determinations relating to the site. The delivery of housing would increase the sustainability of Ashill in general through increased patronage of local services from construction workers and future occupiers.”
Financial contributions tied to the development include nearly £83,000 towards improving public open spaces and almost £18,000 to support nearby NHS facilities.
It is worth noting that outline planning permission for 25 homes on this site was granted by South Somerset District Council in March 2019, but a subsequent reserved matters application was dismissed on appeal in June 2025. With the outline permission now lapsed, this new application seeks fresh approval.
The proposal has sparked concerns among local residents. Ros Coleman, who lives in Ashill, voiced significant worries about the scale of the development and questioned the demand for such a number of new homes. She remarked:
“Unlike Broadway and Horton, which have similarly-sized developments being built, Ashill does not have a shop, a Post Office, a GP surgery, a large hall, pubs or clubs. There is very little for youngsters to do. Owning a car is essential; there is one bus per day into Ilminster from Monday to Friday, giving two hours in the town. This can prove problematic for GP appointments, dental appointments, hairdressers and club activities. The current application for 30 dwellings is far in excess of any other development there has ever been in Ashill-with 106 bedrooms it could easily double the current population of the immediate area. The field itself is not that large and the development would be out of proportion with developments in the rest of the village due to its size.”
Somerset Council is expected to reach a decision on the application by the end of the year, with the outcome set to have significant implications for the future development of Ashill.