Revised Plans for 160 New Homes Near Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station Submitted

Strongvox Homes has submitted revised plans for up to 160 new homes near Somerset’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. The Taunton-based developer is nearing completion of the initial 109 homes at its Cricketer Farm development in Nether Stowey and has secured permission for an additional 58 homes to the north.

The proposed development site lies in the village of Cannington, just a few miles from the power station construction. Originally proposed in January 2014, the revised scheme maintains the same number of homes and sits on the eastern side of the Brymore Way bypass. This location is bounded by Sandy Lane to the north, Chad’s Hill to the east, and Withiel Drive to the south. Vehicle access will connect from an existing spur off Brymore Way, with cycle paths linking residents to the A39 and the village.

An emergency access route controlled by bollards will be created off Withiel Drive, which will be upgraded to improve cyclist safety and connectivity to Cannington’s High Street amenities. The 160 homes will range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, including 48 affordable homes that meet the council’s 30 percent target for affordable housing within developments of this scale in the former Sedgemoor area.

A spokesperson for Pegasus Planning, representing Strongvox Homes, highlighted the village’s strong local amenities, including a health centre, schools, shops, and recreational facilities, which contribute to a self-contained community. The development is expected to boost local spending power and create approximately 496 direct and indirect jobs during construction, with ongoing employment opportunities in property maintenance and landscaping thereafter.

Cannington has attracted increased housing interest following the start of work at Hinkley Point C, as the expanding workforce seeks local accommodation. Nearby, Crest Nicholson recently completed the 73-home Grange Meadow development, alongside a new Co-operative food store. Previous plans by Gladman Developments for 165 homes near the park and ride were rejected by the Planning Inspectorate in 2021.

Although the Strongvox site is not currently allocated in the Sedgemoor Local Plan, it may be considered in the forthcoming Somerset Local Plan, anticipated by April 2029. Somerset Council is expected to decide on the Strongvox proposals before the end of the year, though it remains unclear whether the decision will be made publicly by the planning committee or through delegated officer powers.