PLANS for 171 homes at Brue Farm in Huntspill Road have been given the provisional green light by Sedgemoor District Council. 

The proposal discussed at Sedgemoor District Council's Development Committee on Tuesday (August 20) was for 171 dwellings with associated infrastructure, the provision of a roundabout and public open space, as well as outline permission to build a new primary school.

Sedgemoor District Council planning officers recommended the application for approval, subject to a series of conditions.

County Highways responded asking for a holding order for a month while further strategic transport investigation was carried out.

There were also concerns on the impact on overwintering birds but a condition has been added saying this will be monitored and addressed should issues arise.

West Huntspill Parish Council objected on the grounds that the extra traffic generated would increase congestion and reduce the safety of the road.

Burnham and Highbridge Town Council also opposed over the location of the school being next to the main A38 road.

Planning officer Dawn de Vries said the wider benefits of the site outweighed the negative impact of part of the site being outside land allocated in the Sedgemoor Local Plan.

She said it was hoped the school would be delivered by 2022.

It was also agreed that Barratt Homes would not have to have any affordable housing as part of the development as land was being provided for the school and a new roundabout which will help open up the site.

However, Burnham and Highbridge Town Councillor Phil Harvey objected to the position of the school and the lack of affordable housing.

"These developers made £836m profit last year, I am sure they can provide affordable housing," he said.

"We want social and market housing integrated in the Neighbourhood Plan and I don't want this to be seen as a precedent."


READ MORE: Town council backs 171-homes plan


Cllr Alan Bradford, Cllr Tony Grimes and Cllr Mike Facey gave backing to the development.

Cllr Crimes said: "This is the best option to open up this land and provide a much needed school."

The application was a approved subject to a number of conditions by 10 votes to two with two abstentions.

The full decision will be available to see on the Sedgemoor District Council website. Visit the planning section and search for application 52/19/00001.