Plans for a new campsite between Taunton and the M5 have been pushed back until a phosphates solution can be agreed upon.

Anthony Ormerod, director of Cosy Barn Holidays Ltd., unsuccessfully applied in September 2021 to construct a service building and ten new bell tents, with associated car parking, on land north of Sweethay Lane near Trull.

After this decision was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate in September 2023, Mr Ormerod put forward amended proposals for the campsite, with the same number of tents and a moveable toilet and shower block.

Somerset Council’s planning committee west (which handles major applications in the former Somerset West and Taunton area) was expected to make a ruling on these amended proposals when it met in Taunton on Tuesday afternoon (October 15).

But at the last minute the plans were scrubbed from the agenda after it emerged that phosphate mitigation needed to deliver the site had not yet been agreed upon by officers.

Following the Dutch N court ruling and the ensuring legal advice issued by Natural England in 2020, any development within the Somerset Levels and Moors catchment area must provide additional mitigation to prevent any net increase in phosphate levels within the area.

Around 12,000 homes across Somerset remain in limbo while such mitigation is agreed between the council and developers – with solutions ranging from fallowing agricultural land and creating wetlands to replacing septic tanks and upgrading waste water treatment plants.

Wessex Water indicated in September that it would be implementing ‘stretch permits’ at its Taunton waste water treatment plant, allowing additional homes to be delivered in and around the county town.

In addition, Mr Ormerod promised to reduce the impact of the new campsite by planting a small orchard within its boundary, preventing phosphates from entering the nearby Galmington Stream (which flows into the River Tone).

But Councillor Simon Coles, who chaired the committee meeting, said more time was needed to assess this particular site, which lies to the south of Dipford Farm a short distance from Taunton Deane services between Taunton and Wellington.

He told the committee: “This application is subject to a habitat regulations assessment (HRA), which has been undertaken by our nutrient neutrality officer.

“We are required to consult with Natural England and must take into account any representations received.

“Natural England has now responded to this consultation and has advised that they require additional information and clarifications in respect of the potential impacts of the development, in order to be able to conclude there would be no likely significant adverse impact on the protected site.

“The consultation response from Natural England was received after the publication of the committee report and our nutrient neutrality officer is currently considering the matters raised by Natural England.

“This is likely to require further clarifications in respect of the proposed mitigation and will require the preparation of a new HRA, which will also be
subject to consultation with Natural England.

“For these reasons, it is recommended that the item be deferred from this meeting to allow further consideration of the potential phosphate impacts arising from the development and to allow a new HRA to be undertaken.”

The committee’s next meeting, and the soonest opportunity at which the plans can be reconsidered, will be held in Taunton on November 19 at 2pm.