A growing Somerset village could see 140 new homes built if revised proposals receive approval from local councillors. The project, located on Bowden Lane at the southern edge of Templecombe within the Blackmore Vale, has evolved since its initial conception.
Gleeson Land Ltd. first proposed a development of 160 homes and a community facility in November 2022. After securing outline planning permission for 140 homes from Somerset Council’s planning committee in November 2023, and finalizing legal agreements by March 2025, the site has now been sold to the Vistry Group. Vistry Group submitted amended plans for the residential portion, with a council decision expected later this year.
The development site lies south of existing homes on Bowden Road and is close to Magna Housing’s planned 49-home development on West Street. Access will be through a new junction on Bowden Road, near West Street, with a spine road running through the site connecting homes to a potential community facility near the entrance. Additionally, pedestrian and cycling access will connect the site to the A357 Combe Hill, offering routes toward Henstridge and Wincanton, and serving emergency vehicles as needed.
READ MORE: Serious Crash on A38 Winscombe Closes Somerset Road During Early Hours
Of the 140 planned homes, 49 will be affordable, meeting the council’s 35% target for affordable housing on developments with more than ten homes in the former South Somerset area. The site will also feature two children’s play areas, a community orchard, and extensive green landscaping to create buffers between existing residences and the open countryside.
A Vistry Group spokesperson stated, “Our proposal respects its surroundings and addresses site-specific constraints and opportunities. The diverse housing mix aims to foster a vibrant community closely integrated with the village. The design ensures fully interconnected spaces for safety and accessibility, maintaining and enhancing Templecombe’s architectural character. This development will be a positive addition to the village, thoughtfully designed in form and scale.”
Templecombe’s location outside the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area exempts it from additional phosphate mitigation requirements, accelerating development compared to larger neighboring towns like Chard, Crewkerne, and Yeovil. As a result, Templecombe has recently seen notable housing growth, including Tilia Homes’ Knights Meadow development of 70 homes on A357 Slades Hill adjacent to the headquarters of Thales, one of the village’s key employers.
Vistry Group is also involved in significant regional projects, such as the Orchard Grove development in Taunton and the delivery of 150 homes at the Bridgwater Gateway site near the M5 junction 24.
The council’s planning committee south is slated to make a public decision on the Templecombe proposals by late summer, reflecting the development’s scale and importance. A separate application for the community hub on site will follow at a later date.