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50 ‘poorly integrated’ homes could damage a Somerset village, council says

A new development of 50 ‘poorly integrated’ homes could soon begin in a small Somerset village if amended plans are approved by the local authority.

Dating back to before the pandemic, Somerset District Council granted permission for 50 homes to be built on the south side of Church Street in Merriott. However, the application to construct the new homes received 13 public comments, 11 of which objected to the plans, with residents stating that the village did not need anymore housing.

green grass field during daytime

Properties within the new development will range in size – from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses, with 17 of the 50 homes being marketed as affordable.

Public open space will be provided in the eastern part of the site, with the bulk of the housing being allocated to the west. An additional 131 car parking spaces will also be constructed.

A spokesperson for A2 Architecture and Development Ltd said: ‘The development respects its setting and seeks to enhance its mixed rural and residential landscape.

‘It is a green-centric scheme with provision of open space, retaining many existing trees and planting new ones. The site’s access point and road layout allow for ease of manoeuvrability through the site, as well as adequate parking provision.

‘The proposal will offer considerable benefits, including the provision of a valuable contribution to the council’s housing supply, along with much-needed affordable housing.’

Although Merriott Parish Council has formally rejected the plans, arguing the development would be out of keeping with the village’s character and would not provide enough green space for new residents.

Rachel Moon, the Parish Clerk, said: ‘The dwellings on the south side of the site should be single-storey to match the neighbouring dwellings in Sherlands Gardens and avoid a significant loss of privacy and visual amenity for existing residents. A total of 151 parking spaces are required to match the proposed distribution of dwelling sizes.

‘Tandem parking should not be used as this will encourage disruptive on-road parking. The proposed building materials would establish a visual amenity which is out of keeping with the surrounding architecture.

‘The public open space is inadequate and poorly located, and the affordable housing is poorly integrated with the overall development plan, with one-bedroom properties grouped in a single large building and the other dwellings grouped along the southern boundary.’

Following these complaints, the application has undergone changes and Somerset District Council are expected to make a decision on the development by the end of summer.

Image: Haydon Curteis-Lateo

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