Keinton Mandeville, a small village in Somerset, is set to welcome 30 new homes following a successful planning appeal by Galion Homes. The developer initially submitted proposals in February 2021 to build these houses north of Church Street, which required demolishing an existing bungalow to provide site access.
Somerset Council’s South planning committee had narrowly rejected the plans in late 2024, citing local opposition and concerns that the development would harm the village’s character. However, the Planning Inspectorate has overturned this decision, allowing construction to commence in early 2025.
To enable the development, the bungalow named Oriana will be removed, creating a vehicular entrance to the greenfield site. Additionally, two pedestrian access points will connect to Queen Street in the east and Lunns Close with an adjacent public right of way in the west.
Of the 30 homes proposed, 11 will be affordable housing units, exceeding the council’s minimum target of 35 percent affordable homes for sites of ten units or more in this region. Although the original plans included a pre-school classroom expansion, this has been addressed through a separate application.
Planning Inspector Lewis Condé visited the site in July 2024 and concluded that while the scheme results in the loss of valued agricultural land contributing to the village’s rural charm, its impact would be moderated by its infill character and limited visibility from outside the village. He noted that prevailing modern housing nearby, including a recent Galion Homes development, makes the new homes compatible with the surroundings.
Inspector Condé acknowledged some harm to The Homestead, a Grade II listed late-18th century farmhouse near the site, but judged the public benefits of delivering 11 affordable homes outweighed this impact.
This application was among over 50 in the former South Somerset district delayed by phosphate restrictions aimed at protecting the Somerset Levels and Moors. To mitigate the environmental impact, Galion Homes plans to plant five and a half hectares of deciduous woodland at Manor Farm in neighboring West Lydford, also within the River Cary catchment. This mitigation is aligned with Wessex Water’s scheduled upgrade to the Somerton wastewater treatment plant, expected by 2030.
Inspector Condé highlighted the accessibility of village amenities such as a primary school, village hall, convenience store, pub, and bus stops—all within walking or cycling distance. He emphasized that suitable pedestrian links would provide safe routes for residents, complemented by section 106 contributions and community infrastructure levy payments that will support local infrastructure improvements.
Councillor Oliver Patrick, vice-chairman of the council’s South planning committee, welcomed the inspector’s decision. He reaffirmed the need for well-designed, sustainable, and community-connected housing developments in Somerset, which currently has a housing land supply of just 2.1 years. Patrick stressed that rejecting all new schemes is not a viable solution to the housing crisis and that new homes are essential for local families and key workers.