The future of the Exmoor Gate housing development in Minehead hangs in the balance after its developer, Stratton Land Ltd., entered administration. The company, based in London with an office in Tiverton, had been building 69 homes on the southern side of A39 Porlock Road, adjacent to Exmoor National Park.
Stratton Land Ltd. faced significant viability challenges during construction. Earlier this year, Somerset Council granted permission to reduce the developer’s financial contribution towards a new community centre, citing unexpected costs related to removing and storing topsoil off-site. Despite this concession, the company has now called in administrators, casting doubt on whether the remaining homes will be completed on schedule, or at all.
According to Companies House records, the administration process began on May 9, with Leeds-based PKF Littlejohn Advisory Ltd. appointed to manage the matter. Attempts by the Local Democracy Reporting Service to obtain details about the project’s future from PKF Littlejohn were unsuccessful.
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Should the site be sold to a new developer, that party will not only be responsible for completing the housing but also for meeting existing financial commitments under the Section 106 agreement. This includes a reduced contribution of £175,614 towards the local community centre, agreed upon in February.
Somerset Council has affirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure the development progresses. A council spokesperson stated: “Section 106 agreement contributions are tied to the land and will be honoured in any new agreements.”
Local MP Rachel Gilmour expressed her disappointment over the situation, highlighting the wider implications for affordable housing in rural areas. She said, “Stratton Land Ltd. entering administration is a disappointing outcome, especially for those awaiting affordable homes that this development might have offered.
“Making affordable housing truly accessible must be a priority in today’s housing market. The loss of providers like Stratton is a setback.
“It is imperative that the government takes action to make delivering affordable homes more feasible in rural communities and collaborates across sectors to achieve this goal.”