Plans reveal how 50 new homes in village of Horton, near Ilminster, could look

Glastonbury-based developer Galion has submitted plans for a new housing development on Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster.

The new homes will be built at the western end of the small village, with the new homes being just over a quarter of a mile from the A303, just west of the Southfields roundabout.

South Somerset District Council is expected to make a decision on the plans later in the year.

The new homes will be built to the east of Horton Village Hall, on agricultural grazing land between Broadway Hill and Forest Mill Lane.

Access to the new development will be from Broadway Hill, with up to 161 car parking spaces being provided across the site.

Of the 50 homes planned for the site, 19 will be affordable – comprising 12 social rent properties and seven affordable homes to buy.

The site has not been allocated within the counci’s current Local Plan – but it was listed within the council’s own Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) in 2018.

PLANS: How the new homes could look. PICTURE: Galion

A spokesman for Weinerberger (representing the applicant) said: “The hedgerows around the site are to be protected from construction machinery and materials, with a protective fence being erected inside the hedge and the area between that fence and the hedge will be allowed to go undisturbed.

“There are no playing field or open spaces within the site although the majority of the properties have substantial private amenity space.

“However, the village has an active playing field committee and Galion will discuss what can be done to assist in the enhancement of existing facilities.”

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has stated that the plans are “not acceptable in their current format”, arguing the design of the proposed footpaths through the site could put the public at risk.

Katy Waterman, the force’s designing out crime officer, stated: “Where segregated footpaths are unavoidable, designers should consider making the footpath a focus of the development and ensure they are as straight as possible, at least three metres wide to allow people to pass without infringing personal space (and to accommodate passing wheelchairs, pushchairs and

cycles), and devoid of potential hiding places.

“Public open space should be designed with natural surveillance from surrounding properties with safe and accessible routes for users to come and go with clear boundaries between public and private space.

“Secure bicycle storage should be provided for each dwelling in a robust shed within the private rear gardens.”

The council will make a ruling on the plans later in the year. It is not clear at this junction whether the application will be considered in public by the council’s area west committee.

PLANS: How the new homes could look. PICTURE: Galion