Up to 180 homes will be built on “one of the best fields” in the county after Somerset Council failed to defend an appeal by a major developer.
Persimmon Homes Wessex put forward outline plans in March 2022 to build up to 190 new homes on the eastern side of the A367 Fosseway South, at the southern edge of Midsomer Norton.
Following negotiations with the council’s planning officers, the intended number of homes was reduced down to 180 before the proposals were turned down by the council’s planning committee east in August 2024.
This decision – made on the grounds of over-development, “poor access to services” and a lack of local employment opportunities – prompted the developer to lodge an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, resulting in a public inquiry on February 5.
But the homes have now been given the go-ahead after the council declined to defend its decision at the inquiry – with more detailed proposals expected to come forward in the coming months.
The site was originally allocated for development within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which was approved by district councillors in December 2021.
However, it was struck out of the plan following a successful judicial review and has not been included in the revised Local Plan Part II, which is currently being examined by the Planning Inspectorate in a series of public hearings.
The council’s planning committee east voted to refuse permission on a single ground: that the site lies outside the settlement boundary of Midsomer Norton, and would therefore result in “the loss of open countryside and agricultural land”.
Speaking in early-August 2024, Councillor Philip Ham (Conservative, Mendip Central & East) said: “I farmed this field in the 1960s and 1970s – it’s one of the best fields in Somerset.
“We’re in a world of food security. We need to keep the best land, and I think this is just one step too far in this area.”
Planning inspector Chris Baxter said: “The proposal would result in the loss of greenfield agricultural land; however, the site is directly adjacent to existing housing to the north and west.
“Due to the location and scale of the site, it is considered that a proposed residential scheme would fit in well with the existing built development and would not appear out of keeping with the existing pattern of development of the wider settlement.
“The proposal would not have a harmful effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.”
Seb Spiller, Persimmon Homes Wessex’ deputy managing director, said: “We are delighted to announce that we’ve received outline planning permission to provide high-quality, new housing solutions for local people in the Midsomer Norton area.
“With Somerset facing a severe housing crisis, this project is an exciting opportunity to mitigate this challenge by building these essential homes for local people.”
A reserved matters application for the site, covering the detailed design and layout of the new homes, will be submitted to the council in the coming months, with a decision expected to be taken by the end of the year.