Plans for 58 new homes in Nether Stowey unanimously approved

Strongvox Homes is currently constructing the Cricketer Farm development north of the A39 Cannington Road in Nether Stowey, on the northern edge of the Quantock Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).

The initial development comprises 109 homes, with 16 being affordable as a result of a £1.5m grant from Homes England and £180,000 to offset the impact of the Hinkley Point C construction programme.

The Taunton-based developer applied in June 2023 to expand this development with a further 58 homes to the north.

After delaying a decision in May to allow for a site visit, Somerset Council’s planning committee north voted unanimously to back this next phase of the development when it met in Bridgwater on Tuesday afternoon (June 11).

The new homes will be built off the existing spine road through the site, connecting the second phase of the development to the crossroads with the A39, which was completed in 2022.

The plans for 58 homes. (Image: Focus On Design)

Of the 58 new homes within this phase, 40 per cent will be affordable (the equivalent of 23 properties), with the homes ranging from one-bedroom maisonettes to four-bedroom houses.

Two new attenuation ponds will be created along the north and east of the site, with some green space being set aside for a possible orchard.

As part of the development, around £490,000 will be provided through the community infrastructure levy (CIL) towards new schools or extending existing schools in and around the village, along with more than £23,000 for expanding or otherwise improving the Quantock Medical Centre on Banneson Road.

Since the May meeting of the committee, a three-storey block of flats earmarked for the south-eastern corner of the site has been scaled down to two storeys.

Inside the Cricketer Farm development. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

Councillor Brian Bolt (whose Cannington division includes the site) welcomed this change, stating: “This will take away the domineering appearance [of the building].”

Councillor Alan Bradford (North Petherton) concurred: “This shows how important these site visits are, so we know what we’re talking about – the eye never lies.

“The three-storey issue has been sorted out – that was my prime concern, and the prime concern of the former AONB. It will make the development far more sensitive to what’s happening around it.”

Nether Stowey is expected to provide a minimum of 75 new homes by 2032 under the Sedgemoor Local Plan – a total which has already been exceeded.

In addition to the Cricketer Farm site, F. & G. Jeanes & Sons Ltd. is seeking permission to build 83 homes and a retail unit north of the A39 Long Cross, less than a mile west of the Strongvox site.

Strongvox is currently delivering homes at numerous sites across Somerset, including 40 homes on Lympsham Road in Lympsham (which were approved by Sedgemoor District Council in July 2022), 38 homes on the B3139 Blackford Road in Wedmore (approved in March 2021) and Paddons Farm in Stogursey (a stone’s throw from the Hinkley Point C site).

Councillor Gill Slocombe (Bridgwater West) said: “This is an area of natural beauty. We have to have housing, but obviously we need to keep it looking good as well.

“Are there many existing big trees that are going to be kept on site, or are they going to be cleared?”

Planning officer Dawn de Vries responded: “There is an established hedgerow to the west with some mature trees which is being retained. There is a lot of additional planting going in.”

After around an hour’s debate, the committee voted unanimously to approve the plans – meaning construction on the new phase could begin before the end of this year.