PLANS for nine new bungalows on part of green space on a Shepton Mallet estate have been submitted.
The scheme, submitted to Somerset Council, would see the properties developed on almost half a hectare of ‘undeveloped open grassland/scrub’ land in Starling Way, part of the Tadley Acres estate.
In the application, town planning consultant de Courcy details how the green space was originally envisaged as the site for a school as part of the original 360-home Tadley Acres planning approval in 1993.
However, it said “no planning permission has been sought for the approval of reserved matters for a school on the land”.
“The school site is no longer required for a school because the site is deemed too small and alternative provision is planned on the land to the west of Cannards Grave Road in the form of a 210-place primary school with 60-place nursery in 1.2 hectares,” it went on.
How the nine bungalows could be laid out on the site. Picture: Spicer Architects/Somerset Council
A public consultation over the possible development was carried out in October 2022, with residents commenting on potential congestion in Starling Way and the need for green space for estate residents.
As a result, the application said the plans had been “amended to increase parking provision within the site to provide additional community parking”.
The remaining open space would, as part of a Section 106 planning agreement, be transferred to the Tadley Acres Village Community Association (TAVCA) or other public body, the plan said, along with funding for its maintenance for five years.
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“The scheme would deliver nine dwellings, which would make a significant contribution to housing land supply, given the poor housing supply in the district, and would facilitate public open space for the benefit of the community in perpetuity,” the application concluded.
For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 2025/0452/OUT.
Would be happier to see 9 bungalows on the land than a full housing estate ,
It’s lovely to keep the rest of green space for residents to enjoy