MORE than 50 new homes will be built in the shadow of the Mendip Hills following one of the last decisions by a Somerset council.

Hannick Homes was granted permission in January 2020 to build 53 new homes on Houlgate Way in Axbridge, on land adjoining Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice.

Following protracted legal negotiations, the site was sold to Bellway Homes (South West) Ltd., which put forward amended proposals in December 2022.

Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee has now given the green light to the new homes, in one of its final decisions before the council is replaced by the new unitary Somerset Council on Saturday (April 1).

The site lies at the western edge of the town, on the fringes of the Mendip Hills area of outstanding natural beauty and a short distance from the Strawberry Line active travel route, which connects the town to Cheddar.

The development area is outside of the Axbridge settlement boundary and is not allocated for housing or any other form of development within the council’s Local Plan, which runs until 2032.

Two access points onto Houlgate Way will be provided, with new play equipment being provided at the northern edge and 14 visitor spaces being built near the doctors’ surgery.

Of the 53 new homes being proposed within what has been dubbed ‘Lavender RIse’, 15 will be affordable – just below the council’s target of 30 per cent affordable homes for any new development of ten homes or more.

The plans were discussed at great length by the council’s development committee when it met for the final time in Bridgwater on Tuesday morning (March 28).

Chris Camp, who has lived in Axbridge for 43 years, said the plans had been “flawed from the outset” and urged the developer to rethink the amount of parking provision within the site.

He told the committee: “This development provides a unique opportunity to improve the situation for all residents and visitors to the town.

“Residents will quickly concrete over their front gardens to create the additional parking they require, which will have effects on run-off and the new estate’s aesthetic.

“Are we saying that after this development, dangerous parking is officially being sanctioned? We deserve and expect better.”

Bellway Homes is currently delivering the Peregrine View development of 60 homes on Hellier’s Lane in neighbouring Cheddar, following approval being granted by councillors in May 2021.

Elizabeth Parker, who sits on the neighbouring Compton Bishop Parish Council, suggested that improvements to a local footpath should be secured if approval was granted.

She said: “There is a public footpath between Cross and Axbridge, but it’s not available for people with children’s buggies or disabled people.

“The new development is very close to the footpath. If there could be a proper fence and gates that lets through pushchairs and invalids’ vehicles, this would enable the people of Axbridge to access the pubs in Cross, and the people of Cross to access the post office and other services in Axbridge.”

Somerset County Council and North Somerset Council have put together proposals to improve the existing Cross Junction as part of a wider planned upgrade of the A38 between Bristol Airport and junction 22 of the M5.

Under the planned scheme, the existing junction will be staggered, with articulated lorries no longer being able to turn left onto Old Coach Road.

In addition, the existing Strawberry Lane crossing at the A38 Bridgwater Road north of the Cross junction will be enhanced to encourage cycling in the local area.

Councillor Graham Godwin-Pearson, whose Axevale ward includes the Lavender Rise site, agreed that better footpaths were necessary – and called for wildlife to be protected during the construction phase.

He said: “Fundamentally, if we’re going to concrete over a field, we need to make sure the development is pretty special.

“We have declared climate and ecological emergencies. Creating a wildlife area at the bottom of the site now and then fencing it off to prevent damage would create a safe space to which insects and reptiles can escape when work starts proper.

“The Cross Lane footpath is the only access for residents with bikes or pushchairs to get to Compton Bishop or Cross.

“They shouldn’t have to take their lives into their hands. Bellway Homes should create a proper footpath to the A38.”

Councillor Kathy Pearce added: “I’m pleased to see the inclusion of solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. Given the need for new housing, this is something many of us have been wanting to see for a long time.”

After around an hour’s debate, the committee voted to approve the plans by a margin of 12 votes to none, with one abstention.