Plans for new homes on the outskirts of a Somerset village have been turned down – almost four years after they were first submitted.
Gladman Developments submitted proposals in June 2018 to build 115 new homes on the B3151 Lower New Road on the southern edge of Cheddar. The Congleton-based developer had offered to provide traffic calming measures on the main road into Cheddar as part of the plans, to ensure safety of the planned access near Wedmore Road.
But Sedgemoor District Council finally made a decision after nearly four years, arguing the plans would damage the character of the village. The plans were withheld by delegated powers from the council’s planning officers, rather than being decided in public by its development committee.
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Stuart Houlet, the consultancy’s deputy director for foreign investment and growth, identified three reasons for the plans being turned down:
The site is outside the boundaries of the Cheddar conurbation, with no ‘exceptional circumstances’ to justify development Development would lead to ‘urbanization of the site to the inevitable detriment of its rural character’, harming the landscape and the environment amenity of existing residents The developer has provided “insufficient evidence” that it can protect local archaeological assets during construction
Cheddar has seen significant housing growth in recent years, with many developments approved at either end of the village. Opposite the Gladman site, Sainsbury’s was granted leave on appeal in November 2020 to deliver up to 60 homes on land it had once set aside for a new supermarket – the site then being sold to Keepmoat Homes.
Master plan for 115 homes on the B3151 Lower New Road in Cheddar (Image: Gladman Developments)
Bellway Homes is currently delivering a further 60 homes to the Peregrine View site on Hellier’s Lane, following approval of revised plans in May 2021. At the north end of the village, Taylor Wimpey Bristol is advancing the development of Oak Park approved in January , comprising 96 houses between the A371 and the B3135 Axbridge Road.
Approval is also in place for another 100 homes – along with a crèche, employment units and a 60-bed care home – at the former Yeo Valley complex on the A371 Axbridge Road, not far from the famous junction of the “magic roundabout”. Cheddar Parish Council formally opposed Gladman’s proposals in March 2021, arguing that the site was not on the council’s local plan and would put a strain on local roads and amenities.
Parish Clerk Sam Peake said: “[There is] no demonstrable need for more accommodation beyond what has already been allocated by the local authority, which is already excessive for the size of the village and the limits of local infrastructure. [There will be] increased traffic on the Fiveways Bridge, which is already insufficient for the volume of vehicles using it, and there is no pavement [sic] way to the center of the village, [with the] itinerary [being] dangerous for pedestrians.
Gladman has not yet indicated whether he will appeal the decision. The developer has had a poor record against the council of late, losing an appeal on 165 new homes in Cannington and withdrawing two appeals on a combined total of 220 homes at two sites in Woolavington.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-17 23:00:00
