The Somerset village of Cannington has adopted a bold new Neighbourhood Plan aimed at guiding its development through 2032—prioritizing the preservation of its rural charm and green spaces while meeting housing needs without adding new housing sites.
Located west of Bridgwater on the A39, Cannington hosts the National College for Nuclear’s southern hub and a key park and ride facility for the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station. Recent years have seen significant interest from housing developers due to Hinkley Point C’s construction, including Crest Nicholson South West’s Grange Meadows development, which added 73 homes along the A39 Main Road.
However, Cannington’s newly adopted Neighbourhood Plan, approved by 91.8% of voters in a July 10 referendum, allocates no further sites for housing development. Locals argue the village has already met its minimum housing obligations as per the Sedgemoor Local Plan. Between 2015/16 and 2023/24, 92 new homes have been built, with planning permission secured for 15 more. The remaining 43-home target can be met through these approvals and through future “windfall” sites—unallocated plots that become available under favorable market conditions.
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The plan emphasizes that the Sedgemoor Local Plan does not require further land allocations at Cannington, projecting only modest growth of about 11 homes annually. It notes uncertainty regarding long-term housing market effects from Hinkley Point C’s construction, suggesting impacts will mainly affect the private rental sector rather than owner-occupied housing.
The Neighbourhood Plan was adopted by Somerset Council’s planning sub-committee on August 13, giving it legal weight in determining planning applications, including a pending decision on Strongvox Homes’ proposed 160-home development off Brymore Way.
Created with extensive community input since 2016, the plan seeks to balance meeting housing needs with protecting the village’s character. Its core vision champions a community-driven future that integrates high-quality design, safeguards open spaces, and enhances infrastructure. Key objectives include:
· Delivering new and affordable homes tailored to local needs
· Preserving rural approaches and valued landscapes
· Enhancing open spaces, sports fields, and countryside access
· Improving transport, parking, and utilities
· Supporting local facilities and employment opportunities
Development is guided by strict criteria favoring infill and previously developed sites within the settlement boundary. Edge-of-village proposals are conditional on small scale, architectural harmony, landscape protection, and avoidance of flooding or ecological harm. Affordable housing is prioritized for those with strong local connections.
Environmental policies focus on preserving green wedges, biodiversity, and the historic village core, while transport policies call for safer roads, improved walking and cycling routes, and better parking.
As a ‘Tier 2’ settlement, Cannington is expected to accommodate at least 150 new homes by 2032. Yet with its proximity to the busy A39 and Hinkley Point nuclear site, residents insist that any growth should avoid increasing traffic congestion, flood risk, or detracting from the village’s unique appeal.
Cannington, with a population of roughly 2,300, boasts a protected historic center alongside post-war housing areas. It offers a broad range of amenities, from healthcare to shops and schools, including notable education centers such as Brymore Academy and the Cannington Centre for Land-Based Studies, part of Bridgwater & Taunton College and the National College for Nuclear.