A small village in Somerset is set to receive 30 new homes after a planning appeal by Galion Homes was approved by the Planning Inspectorate. The development, located north of Church Street in Keinton Mandeville near Somerton, had initially been refused by Somerset Council’s planning committee south due to concerns over its impact on the local character and opposition from residents.
Galion Homes submitted the application in February 2021, which includes demolishing an existing bungalow named Oriana to create a vehicular access point. The plan also provides two pedestrian access routes—one onto Queen Street and another leading to Lunns Close and a nearby public right of way.
Of the 30 homes, eleven will be affordable, surpassing the council’s minimum target of 35% for affordable housing in developments of ten or more homes in the region. Although the original proposal included a new pre-school classroom, this facility has since been provided through a separate planning permission.
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Planning Inspector Lewis Condé visited the site in July and later overturned the council’s refusal. While he acknowledged that the development would lead to the loss of agricultural land valued for its green and rural character, he stated that the site’s relatively low visibility and proximity to existing modern housing would minimize the impact on the village’s appearance.
Condé also noted some harm to The Homestead, a nearby grade II listed late-18th century farmhouse. However, he concluded that the public benefits, particularly the provision of affordable housing, outweighed the harm to this heritage asset.
The project faced delays due to environmental concerns over phosphates affecting the Somerset Levels and Moors, requiring mitigation measures. To address this, Galion Homes plans to plant 5.5 hectares of deciduous woodland at Manor Farm in West Lydford, within the River Cary catchment area. This effort aligns with Wessex Water’s scheduled upgrade of the Somerton wastewater treatment plant, aimed for completion by early 2030.
Inspector Condé highlighted the site’s accessibility, noting nearby amenities within walking or cycling distance, including a primary school, village hall, convenience store, pub, and bus stops. The development will also contribute financially through Section 106 agreements and community infrastructure levy (CIL) payments to support local infrastructure improvements.
Councilor Oliver Patrick, vice-chairman of the planning committee south, welcomed the inspector’s decision, emphasizing the need for sustainable development amid Somerset’s tight housing supply. He stated, “The inspector agreed that while there is some limited impact on local character, the benefits far outweigh the harms. We need homes for local families, teachers, nurses, and young people starting out.”