RESIDENTS of a desirable Somerset village will have to wait even longer to find out whether new homes will be built on their doorstep.

C. & P. Developments applied in July 2020 to build up to 34 new homes on the B3139 Wells Road in Wedmore, at the eastern edge of the village.

Following three years of consultation and lengthy negotiations with planning officers, which saw the number of homes reduced to 30, the plans finally came before Somerset Council’s planning committee north on Tuesday afternoon (July 11).

But after two hours’ debate, the committee voted to defer a decision until they had visited the site in person.

The site lies on the main road between Highbridge and Wells, a short distance from the Mendip Scout Base and the village’s allotments.

Of the 30 planned properties, ten will be affordable – with four plots being set aside for self-build projects.

Several residents spoke out against the proposals, with Sean Morris arguing that building in nearby Cheddar made more sense in light of its wider range of amenities.

She told the committee: “In recent years, Wedmore has supplied around 200 homes. There are been no increase in local education or healthcare.

“This will add to the stress and saturation of this village. Build costs in Wedmore are the same as elsewhere, but the price is much higher.

“Cheddar has three schools, supermarkets, garden centres and an attractive reservoir – it’s on a bus route and offers employment opportunities. Housing in Cheddar is more affordable and within safe walking distance of its many facilities.”

Bob Selwood, who led the Wedmore Neighbourhood Plan Group, added: “The main problem in Wedmore is the lack of affordable housing for local people. This will destroy the hopes of local people.”

Trevor Prideaux, who founded the Turnip Prize awarded annually within the village, said: “This land is a greenfield site and is outside the development boundary. This is an important gateway to Wedmore from the east.

“This proposal does not satisfy the Local Plan. We have a minimum housing target of 132 new homes, compared to 244 that have been built or have planning approval.”

Wedmore has seen significant housing growth over the last decade, ranging from the Wedmore Grange development delivered by Strongvox Homes (north of the B3139 Blackford Road) to the Cross Farm development of 16 homes provided by LiveWest.

Jacky Farley, who sites on Wedmore Parish Council, said: “Five recent developments in Wedmore have put a strain on our infrastructure.

“The doctors’ surgery is staffed by nurses only – all GP appointments are in Axbridge. The majority of people travel out of the village for work.

“The site entrance, within metres of the brow of the hill, limits visibility for motorists.

“The road is narrow at the entrance, creating a pinch point made worse by residents’ parking.”

Weston Mercury: The committee voted to defer a decision until they had visited the site in person.The committee voted to defer a decision until they had visited the site in person. (Image: Google Street View)

Councillor Matt Martin (whose King Alfred division includes the site) said the council needed to take a stand to prevent over-development in small villages.

He said: “I don’t live in Wedmore, I live over the other side of the hill, but I do go through there quite regularly.

“I’ve been making a nuisance of myself in recent weeks, hanging out in pubs, talking to people – and I haven’t found a single person who is in favour of this application.

“We’ve got this same thing down in Middlezoy and Othery.

“If the Local Plan figures can be manipulated and moved sideways, it does beg the question: why do we have them?

“There has to come a time where we look at the areas around us in the countryside and say this is not the right place for this.

“This is not a NIMBY argument – this is about maintaining the structure of life in our villages.”

Councillor Harry Munt (who represents the same division and lives in Wedmore) said: “I am really surprised to see a pavement going away from the village that doesn’t go anywhere, and the pavement going toward the village doesn’t connect up with anything useful.

“We’ve declared a climate emergency and are encouraging active travel, but there doesn’t appear to be a safe way into the village.

“Combe Lane is basically a dirt track. If you’re disabled, that’s not going to be any good at all – and if you use the main road, you’re stepping out into a fast dangerous road.”

Councillor Alistair Hendry (Highbridge and Burnham South) disagreed, arguing there was no good reason in planning law to turn the application down.

He said: “Our highways department is on board.

“If people have a problem with speeding cars, they should contact Wells police station – it’s not a planning issue.”

Councillor Bob Filmer added: “There are pros and cons of this.

“It’s clear that the officers and applicant have done a lot to improve this application, but I’m not sure it’s gone far enough.

“It’s on the edge of the community – what breaks the boundary between the urban edge and the countryside. As things stand, it would be changing the character of the village.”

After around two hours’ debate, the committee voted by nine votes to two to defer a decision until a site visit had been carried out.

The council has not confirmed when this site visit will take place and when the application will come back before the committee.