PLANS for 125 new homes in Taunton have been submitted.
The scheme – submitted by Tetlow King Planning on behalf of BSL Strategic Ltd – is for a 6.5-hectare site off Comeytrowe Road, Trull.
It would feature 125 homes, of which 31 would be affordable, the plan said.
Two access points would be created, at College Way and Comeytrowe Road, along with a play area.
The outline application says “more housing is needed in the short term” in and around Taunton, and points to indications the new Labour Government will increase targets.
“Extensive efforts will need to be made to identify sites to accommodate this uplift,” it said.
An impression of how the homes could be laid out on the site, off Comeytrowe Road, in Taunton. Picture: FPCR/Somerset Council
In conclusion, the application said “it is clear the council needs more housing to come forward in order to meet its development plan targets and to meet affordable housing needs”.
“The delivery of up to 125 new homes is a compelling material consideration that weighs in favour of the scheme,” it added.
“Other benefits include the provision of public open space, taking the site-specific opportunity to provide an accessible through route for walking and cycling, economic benefits associated with construction and occupation, environmental benefits through new landscaping and the achievement of biodiversity net gain.”
The document does recognise potential “harm to the functions of the green wedge”, as well as “harm to local character and appearance”, but said weighted against those is a “substantial package of benefits”, including much-needed homes including affordable housing.
For more details on the scheme, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 42/24/0030.
Why on earth are we ruining our countryside with all these unnecessary houses, who is going to buy them apart from ‘outsiders’, where are they going to work ? and would it not be a good idea to improve our inadequate infra-structure. If there is a need for low cost housing then maybe the planners should stipulate that these should be built, sold first at realistic prices before the more up market homes are marketed. Surely there are more suitable sites for low cost housing than building on our green space.