Plans to establish a new travellers’ site between Bridgwater and Highbridge have been officially halted due to significant flood risk concerns.
John Paul Dolan submitted an application in December 2024 to develop two traveller pitches along with day rooms at Halcyon on Red Lane, situated in the village of Stretcholt, about halfway between the two towns. However, Somerset Council refused planning permission in December 2025, a decision later supported by the Planning Inspectorate.
Jonathan Edwards, the planning inspector assigned to the case, confirmed that the proposed homes would be severely at risk of flooding. He emphasized that in the event of a flood, the site would effectively be “swamped by water,” endangering the residents. The location lies within flood zone 3a, the highest flood risk category identified by the Environment Agency (EA).
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The site, on the southern edge of Stretcholt near the Brick Yard Rhyne and adjacent agricultural buildings, would have required installation of a package treatment plant to replace an existing septic tank. Mr. Edwards’ site visit on February 24 revealed one mobile home and day room already occupied by Mr. Dolan and his family, while a second, currently vacant, pitch was intended for other relatives currently living on an overcrowded site elsewhere in the country.
The Sedgemoor Local Plan, which guides development until 2032, advocates locating new housing in areas with the lowest possible flood risk. Developers are expected to conduct a “sequential test” to demonstrate no safer alternative sites are available. Mr. Dolan’s examination of 49 potential sites within the former Sedgemoor area yielded only six of suitable size, all of which were eliminated due to existing permissions, equal flood risk, or physical constraints.
Although the council acknowledges a shortage of authorised gypsy and traveller sites within Sedgemoor and nearby villages, the inspector’s report was clear: permanent residential developments in flood zone 3a are classified as highly vulnerable and should not be permitted. Consequently, the appeal was rejected.
While the Environment Agency notes that coastal or tidal flooding in the immediate future is unlikely—partly due to the Bridgwater tidal barrier under construction—insufficient information about local flood defences left uncertainties regarding potential breach scenarios. The inspector also expressed doubt about the timeliness of flood warnings and safe evacuation for residents if flooding occurs.
Despite proposed mobile homes being elevated 600mm above ground level, this height would not prevent severe flooding during a tidal event. The homes, belongings, and residents would face significant risk and damage if such flooding took place during the site’s lifetime.
Requests for comment from Mr. Dolan were declined following the ruling.