56-home residential development at Land North Of Bradley Hill Lane, Somerton

The site and surroundings

The site is on Somerton’s western edge, beside existing development, the academy and open countryside, with Bradley Hill Lane along its southern boundary.

“The application site is situated at the western edge of Somerton. Its southern boundary is marked by Bradley Hill Lane, a 3-meter-wide, single-lane rural road with grass verges and drainage ditches on both sides. This lane connects to Northfields on the east and to Somerton Door Drove / Slippery Batch Road on the west. To the south, beyond Bradley Hill Lane, are the Somerton Mead development and the established Bancombe Road trading estate.”

“Views are mainly limited by vegetation to the west, Bradley Hill Lane, and nearby development to the south, although views of the rolling hills to the northeast are available. Views through a steel fence and hedge toward the academy exist but will be diminished due to new vegetation planting.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because housing and infrastructure benefits outweighed landscape, agricultural land and traffic impacts, with no severe highway harm identified.

“The site includes agricultural land which has no landscape designation. The site is relatively flat and is located on the northwestern fringe of Somerton which extends into the open countryside surrounding Somerton. The site is visually exposed to the open countryside and public rights of way within it. There will be some harm to the existing landscape character due to the proposed development.”

“No demonstrable harm to highway safety has been identified nor has the threshold of severe harm to the highway been meet.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A town council representative raised concerns, and a representative for Bloor Homes described the access, traffic, drainage and infrastructure proposals.

What members discussed

Members questioned pedestrian crossings, play-area supervision, children’s school access and Bradley Hill Lane controls before considering housing need, drainage and policy compliance.

“Clarification on pedestrian crossing arrangements and the presence of a raised table feature • Location and supervision of the proposed play area • Safety implications for children accessing the school • Access control measures on Bradley Hill Lane…”

“Benefits of the scheme in addressing housing need • Opportunity to improve drainage infrastructure • Overall compliance with planning policy…”

Minutes

The vote

The proposal to approve in line with the officer recommendation was seconded and carried with every member voting in favour.

“At the conclusion of the debate Cllr Tim Kerley made a proposal to approve planning permission, as per the officer’s recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr Kevin Messenger. When put to the vote, the proposal was carried by all in favour.”

“That planning permission for proposed residential development comprising 56 dwellings, landscaping, public open space and play provision, with vehicular access across Bradley Hill Lane (Amended) at Land North of Bradley Hill Lane, Somerton, Somerset, TA11 6JD, be GRANTED subject to; The prior completion of a Section 106 Agreement 2.”

Minutes