Hello… Steve here. I hope you are well.
Some news...
After a Government-appointed planning Inspector overturned the Council’s refusal and allowed an appeal (for 60 homes) at Moor Road in April this year, Persimmon Homes has now turned its sights on a swathe of land at The Batch - west of Yatton.
The huge site comprises approximately 13 hectares of agricultural land between the western settlement boundary of Yatton and the Strawberry Line. To the south, the site adjoins Rectory Farm, where another appeal was sadly allowed by an Inspector in June; this time for 100 homes.
Persimmon has requested pre-application advice from North Somerset Council (NSC) and has published an indicative site masterplan for a scheme of approximately 280 new homes and a “potential” site for a GP surgery.
The team associated with this scheme were also actively involved with both the Moor Road and Rectory Farm appeals.
The site layout at The Batch identifies potential highways connections out onto Mendip Road through Shiners Elms… and the road to be constructed with the new homes (to be built by St. Modwen) at Rectory Farm - via Chescombe Road.
With regard to a possible surgery, Persimmon suggests discussions have taken place with “a potential end user”. While we need a new medical centre, I know from the active application for 47 homes (and a new surgery) on land off Smallway / Wood Hill that the NHS has distanced itself from supporting the proposal and NSC has asked for an independent viability appraisal.
I will be particularly interested to find out how Persimmon intends to mitigate the flood risk at The Batch as the site lies within Flood Zone 3. Residents will know the area is criss-crossed with drainage ditches and is frequently waterlogged due to surface water flooding.
I have not yet seen the detailed documents submitted as part of the pre-application stage, but it is probably no coincidence that Persimmon propose to submit an outline planning application to NSC for consideration later this year. They will know we are progressing our replacement local plan - through which we are seeking to protect land from development in our villages that are at risk of flooding.
I understand that Persimmon will be launching a three-week period of public consultation “on the merits of the draft proposals” starting from tomorrow (1st November). The developer will distribute leaflets to properties directing residents to a consultation website.
Some welcome news…
More appropriately, in principle I am supportive of an outline planning application recently submitted by Alliance Homes. The proposal is to demolish two existing dwellings and two garage blocks to build eight new affordable ‘green’ homes on Marsh Road.
You can comment on the application here until 9th November.
If approved, the homes will be fitted with air sourced heat pumps - a renewable energy heating system.
If there is anything I can help with or you’d like to let me know about, you can email me at: steve.bridger@n-somerset.gov.uk
best wishes,
Steve
Steve Bridger is the Independent councillor for Yatton ward and Leader of North Somerset Council.
ps I constantly update my website and you can also find me on Twitter and Facebook.
