Up to 40 homes at Land OS 3459 North Of Parsonage Place, Curry Rivel, Langport

“The application site comprises of approximately 2Ha of agricultural land adjoining an orchard, beyond which is Church Road. It is otherwise relatively contained in visual terms by existing residential development to the north and east; and south by boundaries comprising of fencing and vegetation on the northern and southern side and a mature hedgerow alongside the orchard. A Public Right of Way (PROW) runs along the eastern boundary beside the…”

“Grade 3 Agricultural Land • There are long distance views from the site of the Grade 1 listed St Andrews church, and the site is in close proximity to an area of high archaeological potential. • Within the Impact Zone of a Site of Special Scientific Interest • Within Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site catchment – (Phosphates mitigation strategy required). • Within the catchment of the River Axe Special Area of Conservation (SAC).”

“There is no recorded planning history for the site other than the application for pre-application advice on the proposal issued under application reference 25/01085/PREMAJ in May 2025.”

“Although the site is not allocated for development it is adjacent to the defined development area for Curry Rivel which benefits from some facilities and services that include a shop and post office, Primary School, Nursery, Village Hall, a Pub, Garage and two Churches.”

“For a Rural Settlement Curry Rivel is a relatively sustainable location • Contribution of 40 no. new dwellings towards housing shortfall • Contribution of 14 no. new affordable housing units towards housing shortfall • Biodiversity net gains of over 10% • Surface improvements and a suitable road crossing for public footpath L 9/1. • A financial contribution of £119,223 towards Public Open Space provision.”

“Public Rights of Way Officer No objections subject to conditions and Section 106 (s106) obligations. There is a legally recorded public footpath (L 9/1) running through the development site, as shown on the Definitive Map.”

“Ecology Officer (SES) To comply with local and national policy, wildlife legislation, and the requirements of the mitigation hierarchy, onsite gains only HMMP needs to be secured by a s106 legal agreement and conditions imposed for: Local Biodiversity Gain Plan, Biodiversity Enhancement, Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (BEMMP), lighting design for bats, construction environmental management plan (CEMP: Biodiversity)”

“Highway Safety - The junction of Stanchester Way with the A378 has poor visibility due to existing boundary features and the road alignment. The junction is already hazardous and that traffic generated by up to 40 dwellings could significantly worsen highway safety conditions. Additional traffic is likely to exacerbate congestion and safety issues around the school and village hall, particularly at drop-off and pick-up times.”

“Loss of Open Space and Recreational Value - The field is used informally by walkers, dog walkers and children and the land has an important local amenity value and its loss would adversely affect residents' wellbeing.”

“The prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement 2. The conditions set out in the committee report, and the addition of condition 26:”