Somerset Town Gains New Homes but Local Schools Receive No Additional Funding

A new housing development in Langport, a Somerset market town, has been approved for the second time, yet it will contribute no funding to local schools. Developer Roger Burton proposed building 22 new homes on Portfield Street, located at the western edge of Langport opposite the historic Hurds Hill country house.

Somerset Council’s Planning Committee South, responsible for major applications within the former South Somerset area, approved the plans in late February despite residents’ concerns about flooding and road safety. Initially, Burton agreed to contribute over £184,000 to improve Huish Episcopi Primary School, ensuring the school could accommodate the influx of new pupils from the development.

However, the council’s education team recently revised their position, stating that both Huish Episcopi Primary School and Curry Rivel Primary School have sufficient capacity to handle new students until at least 2030. A statement ahead of the committee meeting on April 21 noted the schools’ net capacities and admissions, leading to the withdrawal of any education contribution requests. This decision is influenced partly by falling birth rates in rural Somerset.

While school funding has been withdrawn, Burton will still provide nearly £66,000 towards local leisure and youth facilities and around £13,000 to support the planned expansion of Langport Surgery. Additionally, the development includes seven affordable homes, meeting the council’s 35% target for affordable housing on new projects of ten homes or more in the area.

Councillor Oliver Patrick (Liberal Democrat, Coker) expressed confusion over the need for the plan to return to the committee, questioning whether steps will be taken to prevent similar situations in the future. The committee re-approved the development unanimously after a brief discussion.

A detailed application covering the design and layout of the new homes is expected within the next year.