The properties would be built on land off Court Lane, Milborne Port. Pictures: Google/DMW Architects/Somerset Council

Plan for 32 new homes on Somerset village paddock revealed

Paul JonesFebruary 28, 20260 Comment0

PLANS for 32 homes on a Somerset village paddock have been submitted – despite previous attempts to develop the land being refused.

Ken Parke Planning Consultants, on behalf of Bracken Developments Ltd, has applied to Somerset Council for outline permission to develop land south of Court Lane, Milborne Port.

The site, consisting of an open paddock measuring just over three acres, is “considered to be outside of a defined settlement boundary” and in “open countryside for planning purposes”, the plans said.

And previous plans for residential development, including one application for 22 homes, were refused for the site, with reasons including adverse effects on the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar Site and the work resulting in ‘less than substantial harm’ to nearby heritage assets and conservation area, as well as concerns over drainage proposals.

However, the new application said the objections were “fully capable of being overcome” through “robust technical reports and assessments” and wants permission to develop a scheme made up of 21 three-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom properties.

“The mix, type and size of housing is considered to be appropriate to the housing needs of the village and to add variety to the site,” it said.

“Each unit is proposed to be two-storeys, reflective of the surrounding dwelling heights and will utilise traditional stylings, materials, colours and textures.”

A “central public space” would be created, including a play area, the application said, with housing made up of semi-detached and short runs of terraced properties.

A hedgerow along the northern boundary would be retained, the plans said, with access coming from the current gated entrance off Court Lane. A secondary access, for pedestrians and cyclists, would be created in the north-west corner.

A green space would be at the heart of the development, including a play area. Picture: DMW Architects/Somerset Council

Each property would also benefit from an EV charger, the application added, as well as “generous outdoor garden spaces”.

It went on: “The site represents a suitable and sustainable location for a high-quality form of residential development, in that it is well located, and development would help support the vitality and viability of the village and its function as a rural centre.”

And it added: “Milborne Port is more than capable of accommodating additional housing growth.”

For more details on the scheme, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 26/00143/OUT.