A TOTAL of 16 new homes could soon be built on a former school site in Somerton.

Plans to develop land at Etsome Terrace have been submitted to Somerset Council by Boon Brown on behalf of developer, Stonewater.

If approved, the plan would see four one-bed flats, six two-bed houses and six three-bed houses built on the land, which measures around 0.3 hectares.

The application said the development had been designed to be in-keeping with surrounding homes, and with the town itself.

“The buildings are all two storeys high with a similar scale to adjacent dwellings,” it said. “The massing has been carefully considered the houses have been laid out as four sets of three terraces. This is influenced from the terraced housing to the west of the site and the semi-detached housing running to the east of the site along Etsome Terrace.”

How some of the new homes could look. Picture: Boon Brown/Somerset Council

Each house will be allocated two parking spaces, the plans said, with flats having a single parking space, with additional spaces for visitors.

“Each plot has access to a private garden and a patio space adjacent to the rear door of each house,” it added, with a fruit tree in each garden.

Access will be from Etsome Terrace, with turning space provided for fire, refuse and delivery trucks.

“The scheme will provide 16 dwellings on a brownfield site within an existing residential area,” the application added.

“Landscaping and context have shaped the proposed layout to ensure that the green space is provided for residents.

“The project is deemed to provide a well-balanced scheme that provides suitable dwellings, amenity, parking and landscaping for the future residents to utilise and enjoy.”

For more details on the plans, and to comment, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search for reference 24/01446/FUL.

The proposed layout of the new homes in Etsome Terrace, Somerton. Picture: Boon Brown/Somerset Council

Comments on plans for 16 homes on former school site in Etsome terrace

However, a number of residents have commented in opposition to the plans.

Kayleigh Baldwin wrote: “The access to Etsome terrace from Behind Berry has been ridiculous since the one stop and bus park has been approved.

“This is the only access to King Ina Academy and during term time trying to leave Etsome Terrace and return is manic.

“I have a school run to do in Street, 15 minutes each morning and afternoon has been added to my school run just trying to get in and out of the street.

“This will be made worse by adding more houses. Not to mention the inconvenience that will be caused when building them.

“Hundreds have been built at the far end of Somerton. There is no need to cram more into this small space.”

Rebecca Brown also commented against the scheme.

“I live in a nearby Street. Etsome Terrace is already a busy road as it is the main route to the new King Ina school and has the busy One Stop shop on it,” she said. “The council transport base also has many vehicles coming and going.

“I regularly cross Etsome Terrace to visit a family member in an adjoining road and it can take a while to cross with the traffic and parked cars.

“The number of houses proposed will lead to a significant increase in on street parking and traffic.”

Fred Meaden added: “We feel Etsome Terrace is already like a rat race, with traffic that has trebled over the last 35 years.

“We are concerned they will use Etsome terrace and Southview to park and this is already full with parked cars. We are unable to park outside our own house and have trouble accessing our own driveway.”

Somerton Infant School closed in 2014. Picture: Google

What was the Etsome Terrace site previously?

The plot, in Etsome Terrace, was formerly home to Somerton Infant School.

The school, which was rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, closed in 2014 and has been replaced by the new King Ina Academy, in Northfield.

After the closure, the Etsome Terrace site was put up for sale.