ILMINSTER will grow in size by 20 per cent after plans for 360 new homes were approved by councillors.
Persimmon Homes South West put forward revised plans in October 2023 to build 360 new homes on land south of Canal Way in Ilminster, near The Meadows doctors’ surgery.
Local residents pleaded with Somerset Council to refuse the plans when its planning committee south met on Tuesday afternoon (January 9), citing the lack of infrastructure, the lack of a new school and no money for upgrading the Stop Line Way active travel route.
But the committee voted to grant permission in spite of residents’ concerns, stating that financial contributions would be secured to off-set these issues.
The development site lies between Canal Way and Herne Hill, which was designated as a local nature reserve by South Somerset District Council in July 2018.
Access will be from the Canal Way roundabout, with the existing entrance to The Meadows being altered, with large amounts of green space being provided at the southern edge of the site as it slopes upwards.
While the approved application ostensibly allows for up to 400 dwellings, Persimmon admitted in October 2023 at the final amount will be for a maximum of 360 homes in light of the phosphate mitigation which will be required.
The site is one of more than 50 major housing developments in the former South Somerset area which have been delayed by the phosphates crisis, with additional mitigation being needed to prevent any increase in phosphate levels within the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area.
To offset the increase in phosphates from the new homes, Persimmon is proposing to temporarily fallow around 300 acres of council-owned agricultural land between Herne Hill and the hamlet of Sea.
If no permanent mitigation can be secured after five years (such as the creation of wetlands or upgrading Ilminster’s waste water treatment plant), this land will be planted with trees.
Chris Curran from Green Ilminster told the committee in Yeovil on Tuesday (January 9) that planting a new community wood (a project it has been pursuing since 2021) would reduce the amount of farmland that would need to be taken out of production.
He said: “For over two years, we have been attempting to negotiate the use for some of the land which is now being fallowed for use as a community woodland. Why would we wait?
“We’ve already identified a couple of fields behind West Crescent where we were attempting to negotiate this. Carbon offsetting and phosphate mitigation can be achieved in this way.”
The site was originally due to include a new primary school; however, following the council’s reforms to schooling in the Crewkerne and Ilminster catchment, funding will instead go towards the expansion of Herne View Church of England Primary School on Ditton Street.
The land allocated for the school will be retained by the council and may come forwards in the future for an alternative community facility.
The Canal Way site is bordered by numerous public rights of way, including the Stop Line Way which provides an off-road cycle route south to Donyatt and Chard.
The development will provide improved footpath links to Herne Hill from both the new homes and the neighbouring Archie Gooch Sports Pavilion, where Ilminster Town Football Club play their home games.
But Persimmon has declined to provide any financial contribution to Sustrans for upgrading the Stop Line Way – something which infuriated many local residents and councillors.
David Gordon – who represented Ilminster on Somerset County Council between 1993 and 2005 – said: “It is a great resource already, and it would be a shame if Persimmon and the council missed a trick by not including this in any approval.
“Two years ago Persimmon made nearly £1bn profit. I think a six-figure contribution to revamping the cycleway would be appropriate.”
David Light, chairman of Donyatt Parish Council (and a Sustrans ranger) added: “There is no planned buffer zone between the new development and our village. We feel that is fundamentally wrong.
“On a fine day, this section of the cycle route has hundreds of people using it. Even on a wet day, it is still widely used.
“It is also a lifeline for workers, providing a safe route from Ilminster to Chard avoiding the A358.”
Council planning officers argued that the upgrade of the Stop Line Way was a “strategic project”, meaning it could only be funded through the community infrastructure levy (CIL) rather than a Section 106 agreement (which secures contributions for facilities directly within or very close to the development site).
Judy Walby, who lives in the town, said the lack of a second access point onto Canal Way would exacerbate existing congestion and parking issues along that street.
She said: “One entrance and exit to the development will ensure traffic chaos at peak times. This is also the entrance to the doctor’s surgery – it will create an accident waiting to happen.
“There are few employment opportunities in the local area, and our public transport is non-existent. I urge the council to consign this plan to the dustbin of history.”
Mark Tredwin, clerk of Ilminster town clerk, argued that the development would lead to more strain on existing services and lead to further localised flooding.
He said: “You are looking at a scheme which will increase the town’s population by around 20 per cent amid already struggling infrastructure.
“Flooding is a major concern in Ilminster; we have been subject to an official report following the floods of 2021. Please do not add to our stress and strain by approving 360 new properties.”
Councillor Sue Osborne (who represents the Ilminster division on Somerset Council) lambasted the application before leaving the meeting, having taken legal advice on her ability to participate.
She said: “This application does seem rushed – I wouldn’t believe a word Persimmon says, because leopards don’t change their spots.
“Two years ago, Ilminster residents were rescued by lifeboat – that is how serious the flooding got. A few extra ponds won’t solve that problem – the attenuation ponds at Chard did not work.
“It is proposed to fallow nearly 300 acres of prime agricultural land. The comments that it’s un-farmable is rubbish.
“What right do we have to deprive future generations the right to grow their own food? You can’t eat trees and you can’t eat fallow.”
Councillor Adam Dance (who represents the neighbouring South Petherton and Islemoor division) concurred: “For me, the roundabout access is far too small with the increase of traffic.
“The doctors’ and the dentists are at their capacity – I know this as portfolio holder for public health.”
“We’ve seen the sheer volume of water in the last few weeks – I’ve had areas in my division flooding which have never flooded before.”
Councillor Martin Wale (Chard North), by contrast, said there was little solid reason in planning law to refuse permission.
He said: “It is within the direction of growth within the South Somerset Local Plan. We have the five-year housing supply matter to contend with.
“I have severe reservations about flooding, but on balance I will support this application.”
After nearly two hours’ debate, the committee voted to approve the outline plans by a margin of six votes to two.
A reserved matters application, detailing the design, layout and phasing of the new homes, is expected to come forward later in the year.
Persimmon has been approached for comment regarding the committee’s decision and the timing of further applications concerning the site.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here