Seven affordable dwellings at Land at Somerlea, Willand

What was proposed

The application sought revised plans for landscaping, parking, cycle storage and refuse storage, while keeping the approved seven-home scheme otherwise unchanged.

“Proposal: Variation of Condition 10 of Planning Permission 24/00039/FULL (Erection of 7 affordable dwellings with car parking, landscaping and other minor works following demolition of existing garages) to allow substitution of approved plans to reflect revised landscaping strategy, and parking areas…”

“AGENDA 4 within the applicant’s ownership in the original scheme. The revised layout allows better access to neighbouring parking spaces, which are accessed through the site and revises the landscaping strategy accordingly. The revised plans also indicate the position of the bicycle storage required, as well as realignment of the proposed refuse storage area.”

Officer report

The site and approved scheme

The site lies between Somerlea and Somerville Road and includes approved terraces of seven three-bedroom affordable houses with gardens and parking.

“The proposed development relates to a site within the defined settlement limit of Willand and is located on land between Somerlea and Somerville Road. There is a former commercial site to the north east, which is now used as car parking in association with a nearby commercial premises. A Public Right of Way (PROW), public footpath no. 4, Willand, runs along the north east boundary of the site, providing access between Somerlea/Fir Close and Somerville Road.”

“The approved dwellings are to be a terrace of seven 3 bed/4 person houses. The approved terrace of houses is to run parallel with the north east boundary. All properties are to be provided with their own private gardens, while the site will also include some additional landscaped areas. A palette of materials is proposed comprising rendered to the walls and metal standing seam roof. Solar PV panels would be installed on the roof slopes of the building.”

Officer report

Planning history

Permission was granted for seven affordable dwellings after garage demolition, and that permission had been commenced.

“Planning permission was granted under 24/00039/FULL for the erection of 7 affordable dwellings on this Council-owned land off Somerlea, Willand. The site is approximately 0.17ha and comprises a mix of hardstanding and poor quality grassed areas. The site contained several shed and garage structures, however these have since been demolished with planning permission 24/00039/FULL having been commenced.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the changes minor, acceptable and unlikely to harm neighbours, highway safety, landscape or the approved development’s appearance.

“In assessing the changes, it is considered that the revisions are acceptable. The changes are considered to be minor in nature, and while there are changes to the position of some of the parking spaces and the landscaping strategy, the overall scale and appearance of the proposed development will remain similar to that previously approved. The approved properties will remain within the same footprint and there is no increase in size, or change in design.”

“The proposed variation of condition 10 of planning permission 24/00039/FULL would result in minor and acceptable changes to a previously approved scheme. The proposed development comprising the erection of 7 affordable dwellings with associated parking, landscaping and other minor associated works is considered to be acceptable. The site is located within the defined settlement limit of Willand, therefore the principle of residential development on this site is accepted.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Two residents questioned the parking-area finish, vehicle suitability, ground levels and access to neighbouring parking when spaces were occupied.

“At the time of writing this report, letters of objection have been received from two local residents. The main points raised are summarised below:”

“Concerns raised about the material finish of a section of the parking area between existing tarmac and the rear access of adjoining neighbours. It has been questioned what material will be used for the finish of this area, whether it will be suitable for regular vehicle use and whether the ground levels allow for adequate vehicular access to the adjoining parking areas.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish councillor spoke for Willand Parish Council and a ward member spoke; one councillor later abstained from voting.

Committee discussion

Members asked about recycling storage and boundary fences, and received assurances that storage was sufficient and boundaries had not moved.

“Whether the space provided for recycling storage was sufficient for each dwelling? It was explained that there was plenty of provision for storing seven bins, seven recycling boxes and seven food waste boxes. • Whether boundary fences had moved? It was confirmed that they had not moved.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant permission subject to conditions, with amendments to one condition and an additional condition.

“It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to Conditions with amendments to be made to Condition 6 and an additional Condition 11 to be included.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted with the landscaping condition amended and an additional hard-and-soft-landscaping condition included.

“Planning Committee – 7 January 2026 3 • It had included additional annotation of some of the materials within the floor plan, for example rather than using tarmac throughout the site, permeable paving would instead be used to identify areas more clearly. • There had been a dispute with a neighbour regarding the legal right of access.”

“Notwithstanding the Landscape Strategy submitted, prior to the first occupation of the development hereby approved, a final scheme of landscaping and planting shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This shall include details on tree species type, planting design and aftercare.”

Minutes