252-home development changes at Land Os 3400 North Of Mudford Road, Yeovil

What was proposed

The application sought to change the parameter plan, replace the constructed treatment wetland with SuDS phosphate mitigation, and remove or revise related conditions.

“- Amendment of Condition 5 to substitute Parameter Plan SK007 Rev C with Parameter Plan SK007 Rev D - Removal of Condition 9 relating to the provision of a Constructed Treatment Wetland for phosphate mitigation, and - Removal of Condition 14 restricting development within 150m of the wetland/phosphate mitigation area.”

“The amendments arise from updated ground investigations and a revised nutrient neutrality strategy which proposes mitigation through a SuDS-based approach rather than the previously approved Constructed Treatment Wetland.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is about 25 hectares of agricultural land north of Mudford Road, with hedgerows, fields, nearby housing and a sewage treatment works.

“The application site comprises approximately 25ha of agricultural land located to the north of Mudford Road on the northern edge of Yeovil. The site consists of three fields separated by hedgerows and falls from south to north towards the Yeo Valley. Existing residential development lies along Mudford Road and Stone Lane, with agricultural land beyond the northern site boundary. Yeovil Without Sewage Treatment Works lies adjacent to the north-western part of the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the revised strategy could achieve nutrient neutrality, while conditions and a legal agreement would secure mitigation and landscape safeguards.

“In favour of the proposal, the revised nutrient neutrality strategy has been reviewed by both Somerset Ecology Services and Natural England, neither of whom raise objection to the proposed SuDS-based approach.”

“However, officers are satisfied that the amended Parameter Plan remains capable of delivering an appropriate landscape and green infrastructure framework and that the identified impacts can be mitigated through the revised planning conditions, including the proposed landscape condition relating to the north-western part of the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard objections from flood, action-group, parish-council and local resident representatives, followed by the applicant’s representatives.

What members debated

Members questioned flood resilience, biodiversity, pumping, the legal scope of Section 73, the earlier appeal, reserved matters and separation from wet ponds.

“Flood resilience. • Natural flood management.”

“Biodiversity Net Gain. • The role of pumping within the original wetland proposal. • The legal status of Section 73 applications. • The significance of the Planning Inspector's previous conclusions. • Future reserved matters considerations. • Condition 14 relating to separation from wet pond features.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to approve was carried by seven votes to three, with one abstention, after an unseconded proposal to defer.

“Some Members expressed sympathy with local concerns regarding flooding and landscape impacts, while others noted the support of statutory consultees and the environmental advantages of the revised SuDS approach. There was a proposal to defer the application, but this did not secure a seconder. At the conclusion of the debate Cllr Stanton made a proposal to approve the application in line with the officer’s recommendation.”

“Voting: 7 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstention.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to completing a Deed of Variation, the committee-report conditions and delegated authority for final amendments, including discussions about Condition 14.

“That planning permission 25/01367/S73 to vary condition 5 and remove conditions 9 & 14 of planning permission 22/00695/OUT (as granted under appeal APP/E3335/W/23/3328322) for Outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access, for the erection of up to 252 dwellings, public open space (including community orchard and village green), woodland planting, ecological buffers, sustainable drainage systems, a biodiverse wetland habitat and other ancillary…”

“And that authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Chair (or Vice-Chair) of the Planning Committee where appropriate to: a. Make minor amendments and refinements to the wording, numbering and sequencing of planning conditions b. Agree minor variations to the heads of terms and final drafting of the Deed of Variation c.”

Minutes