Council reject ‘shoehorning’ housing plan

PLANS to allow a housing developer to “shoehorn” further homes into a stalled development near Hinkley Point C have been thrown out by district councillors.

Strongvox Homes was granted permission in 2006 to build 55 homes on land at Paddons Farm in Stogursey, the village closest to the nuclear power station in west Somerset. Financial issues have caused delays in completing the site, with only 39 homes being constructed to date.

West Somerset Council’s planning committee voted on Thursday evening to turn down plans to increase the total number of dwellings on the site to 66 – the second such request since approval was granted. But the development could still proceed at this level, since Strongvox has also appealed against the council’s decision to refuse 66 homes on this site, which was taken in October 2018.

A number of existing Paddons Farm residents criticised the plans at the meeting, held in the council’s headquarters in Williton.

Robert Crowther said the plans were “almost a complete carbon copy” of the previous version, and claimed the changes were “unlawful” following the outcome of a recent judicial review.

He said: “Applications of this kind can only be used for minor amendments – not for an increase in dwellings.

“Two judicial reviews have demonstrated that.”

Nicky Bailey added: “Strongvox is not making their decisions on the basis of what is best for the community. These additional homes will not be in our best interests.

“Strongvox should get on, finish the job that was agreed, and then – with respect – leave us alone and let us live and work here in peace.”

Councillor Susan Goss criticised the “overdevelopment” of the site, arguing: “This does not fulfil the needs of the people who live there.

“This amounts to shoehorning more houses into this site.”

Councillor Rosemary Woods was concerned about proposals within the plans to relocate the play area.

She said: “If you place this away from its current location, it cannot be easily monitored.”

Other councillors raised concerns about the council losing its ongoing appeal against the applicant.

Councillor Keith Turner said: “We are in a blackmail position. If we refuse this, we could end up with what we didn’t want last time.”

Councillor Karen Mills argued that packing more houses into the site would be good for providing homes for younger residents.

She said: “What we need in West Somerset are smaller properties. If ‘overdevelopment’ means we get more smaller houses, then I am in favour of that.”

After around an hour’s deliberation, the committee voted to refuse the plans. The Planning Inspectorate has not confirmed when a decision on the ongoing appeal for the site will be published.

This does not fulfil

the needs of the people who live there

CLLR SUSAN GOSS