Plans submitted to build 30 homes on B3151 in Glastonbury

The Crossman Group has submitted plans for a new development of 27 homes on the B3151 Northload Bridge on the western edge of Glastonbury.

Local residents have criticised the plans, arguing that the road is not currently safe and the land is already prone to flooding.

Mendip District Council – or its unitary successor – is expected to make a decision on the plans later in the year.

The site lies on the eastern side of Northload Bridge, bordered by Glastonbury Reclamation and the Field Ditch near its confluence with the Mill Stream, with Glastonbury Football Club’s stadium lying a short distance to the north.

Access to the proposed new homes will be created at the southern end of the site, with the existing barns being demolished to create room for the houses and public open space.

The Crossman Group has submitted plans for a new development of 27 homes on the B3151 Northload Bridge. (Image: Angus Meek Architects)

The Bath-based developer – which is also seeking to build nearly 100 homes on the edge of Tatworth, near Chard-  intends to deliver eight affordable homes within the site, meeting the council’s 30 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more.

A spokesman said: “While the council’s Local Plan Part II makes a number of [additional] housing allocations, none of these are considered deliverable.

“Small and medium-sized sites can make an important contribution to meeting the housing requirement of an area as they are often built-out relatively quickly.

“Given the chronic under-supply of housing across the district and in Glastonbury, the delivery of 27 dwellings, including 8 affordable homes, within the next five years must be considered a significant benefit.

“The proposed development is sustainable, would satisfy all development plan policies, and would play an important role in meeting the development needs of Glastonbury.”

Five sites were recently removed from the council’s Local Plan Part II following a successful judicial review – though none of these sites lie in or near Glastonbury.

Tania Ross, who lives near the site, has strongly objected to the proposals, arguing they will put pedestrians at risk and lead to local services being overwhelmed.

The plans for 27 homes on the B3151 Northload Bridge in Glastonbury. (Image: Angus Meek Architects)

She said: “The road and nearby junction is notorious for accidents.

“Extra traffic from the dwellings will increase this and is a major concern for me and my children, who already feel at risk living on this road. Cars already do not abide to speed limits.

“The current drains can not cope with existing dwellings. As soon as we have heavy rain, the drains back up; extra dwellings will increase this, and the proposed site is on a flood plain.

“There are few green spaces left in the parish and it will be very sad to lose this field”.

The western edge of Glastonbury has seen growing interest from housing developers in recent years.

Keepmoat Regeneration Ltd. and the Sanctuary housing association were given planning permission in January 2018 to build 133 new houses on the northern side of the A39, a short distance from the Crossman site.

A planning inquiry into plans for a further 90 homes on Lowerside Lane is due to get under way in early-March, with a final ruling by the Planning Inspectorate being expected later in the year.

A decision on the Northload Bridge plans is expected to be made by the late-spring.

The full council will convene in Shepton Mallet on Thursday evening (February 9) to discuss the impact of the judicial review on future planning decisions.