Residents of Somerset will face off against one of the country’s biggest developers in the fall to shut down more than 100 new homes near Bridgwater.
Gladman Developments applied in September 2019 to build 165 homes north of the A39 in Cannington, near Hinkley Point C Park and Ride.
Sedgemoor District Council rejected the master plans in mid-May 2020, arguing the access road would be too narrow and pose road safety concerns – a decision the developer subsequently appealed.
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The Planning Inspectorate has now confirmed that a public inquiry into the plans will be held on September 28, with the final decision due to be released before Christmas.
The proposed development site is between Oak Tree Way and the Park & Ride, just south of the Village Health Center.
Rather than completely surrounding the incentive park site, much of the northern edge of the site will be dominated by communal green space near Cannington Creek, with access from Oak Tree Way.
Proposed access for 165 homes on Oak Tree Way in Cannington (Image: Google Maps)
The council refused the master plans on May 18, 2020 by delegation of authority, which means that the decision was made by its planning officers rather than by the members of the development committee.
Stuart Houlet, deputy director of the council for foreign investments and growth, put forward three grounds for refusal:
Oak Tree Way would be “insufficient to serve as a means of access” due to the “restricted width and misalignment” of existing roads Since only one access road is proposed, there would be “limited accessibility” for the proposed development would lead to more parking on the street and therefore to “an increase in conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians”
The Congleton-based developer said construction at this site would provide much-needed new housing and provide space for a new community hall at a later date.
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A spokesperson said: “The proposed site is a suitable and sustainable location for new development.
“We believe that new homes will enhance the village and support its existing services and facilities.”
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The Planning Inspectorate confirmed on Friday (July 16) that the matter would be decided by a virtual planning survey, rather than by written representations.
The investigation will begin on September 28 and will include a site visit by the inspector-in-charge, the results of which should be released before the end of the year.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-20 04:00:00