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

The site and surroundings

The site lies on Somerton’s western edge beside existing housing, a school, a trading estate, hedgerows and open countryside.

“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.”

“Policy SS1 of the South Somerset Local Plan, designates Somerton as a Local Market Town which is considered to be suitable for housing growth. Policy SS5 states that there is a permissive approach when considering housing proposals in Market Towns.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and changes

The site had no specific planning history, while the proposal was reduced from 65 to 56 homes and its landscaping was strengthened.

“The proposed development was revised in response to consultee comments. The scale of the development has been reduced from 65 dwellings to 56 dwellings. The most significant revisions relate to the site’s landscaping strategy, particularly along the northern and western boundaries where more substantial planting is now proposed to help reduce landscape impacts.”

“There is no specific planning history associated with the application site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the housing and infrastructure benefits were not significantly and demonstrably outweighed by landscape, agricultural land and traffic impacts.

“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.”

“In the context of the above and having due regard to the 'tilted balance', it is considered that the identified harm does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme and, as such, it is recommended that full planning permission is granted.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A town council representative raised concerns, and a representative for the applicant addressed access, traffic, drainage and infrastructure delivery.

What members debated

Members questioned pedestrian crossings, the play area, school safety and access controls, while also considering housing need, drainage improvements and traffic levels.

“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…”

“In response, officers advised that: • Detailed highway design would be secured through Section 278 (works in highway) and Section 38 (adoption) agreements • Road safety audits would be required • Pedestrian routes and crossings were considered acceptable given low traffic levels • Minor plan discrepancies could be corrected prior to issuing a decision…”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the proposal on a motion from Councillor Tim Kerley, seconded by Councillor Kevin Messenger, with all members 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