MORE than 100 houses are planned for Cheddon Fitzpaine after a housing developer submitted documents for the fourth time since 2018. 

Gladman Developments Ltd first attempted to secure planning permission for the erection of 180 dwellings on land adjacent to Pyrland Farm in 2018 but was refused by the former Somerset West and Taunton Council the following year. Two other submissions were subsequently made, reducing the number of dwellings to 150.

The latest attempt sees a further reduction in the number of dwellings to 112. The reduced dwelling number was consulted on in December 2023 and September 2024.

The proposed development also includes vehicular access off Cheddon Road, along with public open space, a children’s play facility, landscaping and a sustainable drainage system.  It would occupy 3.15 hectares of land, with a mixture of single and two-storey dwellings.

Cheddon Fitzpaine Parish Council is one of the consultees that opposes the plan. The Council states that “there is no up to date Flood Rish Assessment and Drainage Strategy based on the number of proposed houses.” In addition, parish councillors highlighted the fact that the development is partially outside of the allocated boundary of the TAU3 Local Plan.

Linda Nash, Chair of Governors for Kings College Prep School, also objects to the latest revised plans. “Yet again the applicant appears to be adopting the familiar tactic of going in high and then making minor changes in an attempt to wear down resistance both from the Council and from objectors.”

Gladman Developments Ltd, which joined Barrett Developments PLC Group in 2022, are marketed as an “innovative business” with over 25 years’ experience in obtaining planning permissions. The company claim to be “the UK’s most active and successful land promoter.”

The outcome of the proposal will be decided by a planning committee when it comes forward. Comments can be submitted to Somerset Council using the reference: 08/19/0035.