Green light for more than 600 homes on Somerset showground

A Somerset Council planning committee has unanimously approved outline permission for a new neighbourhood with up to 620 homes.

Of the new dwellings, 30% will be affordable tenures, with an 80:20 split between social rent and shared ownership.

A care home, land for a new primary school and nursery and a new local centre, which could be used as a convenience store or for small-scale office use, are also included in the proposals. These were submitted by developer CG Fry & Son alongside the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.

The neighbourhood will be built on the Mid Somerset Showground in Shepton Mallet, resulting in the loss of 53 hectares of agricultural land. However, two parcels will be retained for the Mid Somerset Show .

The site was previously allocated for development in the local authority’s local plan. Its development will also see Section 106 contributions made towards off-site provisions such as £275,709 for two local GP surgeries and £257,872 for special needs education.

Meanwhile the scheme’s public open space may include play provision and a community orchard.

Several barns and outbuildings will be removed to make way for development, with one stone barn remaining for bat mitigation.

The development will deliver pedestrian and cycle links, as well as a new parallel crossing and proposed roundabout.

A reserved matters application specifying the design of the new homes is expected to be lodged early in the new year.