Plans for 280 homes in flood zone

HUNDREDS of new homes could be built on agricultural land in a flood zone in North Somerset.

Persimmon Homes has announced plans to build 280 homes on a 13-hectare site at The Batch on the western fringes of Yatton.

The developer has requested pre application advice from North Somerset Council and has published a masterplan for the scheme, which includes proposals for a new doctors surgery. The development would see new road links onto Mendip Road through Shiners Elms.

It also includes a new orchard, ponds and footpath link, landscaping and tree planting. Play areas would be created along with allotments and parking.

Persimmon has launched a three-week consultation with local residents being leafleted.

Yatton councillor Steve Bridger – also leader of North Somerset Council – said: “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 crisscrossed with drainage ditches and frequently waterlogged.”

“I have supported proposals for genuinely affordable housing where the scale, quality and location is appropriate. This scheme is not one of them.

“We need to resist building new homes on flood plains and developers need to consider how flood risk is changing over time.”