ILMINSTER NEWS: Shudrick Valley housing plans turned down by district council

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to build 220 homes on a picturesque area of Ilminster have been turned down today (Thursday, May 19, 2016) by South Somerset District Council.

The council’s own website has revealed that a decision notice of refusal – dated today – has been sent to applicants Dillington Estate and C. G. Fry & Son who had earmarked development on land at Shudrick Valley.

News of the amended application caused anger among objectors earlier this year who said that the planned development – reduced from an earlier proposal in 2014 for 330 homes – went against the Local Plan.

The Local Plan – which governs future housing developments in South Somerset up until 2028 – was agreed last year and identifies Ilminster’s direction of growth as Canal Way rather than Shudrick Valley.

That was the number one reason for the council’s development manager, David Norris, to tell the applicants that their Shudrick Valley proposals were being given the thumbs down.

“The proposed development by reason of its scale and location is contrary to the council’s Local Plan housing strategy,” he said.

PHOTO – TOP: The outlined proposed development area of Shudrick Valley.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Plans to turn this area into a 220-home housing development have been refused by South Somerset District Council.

Mr Norris said the application constituted a “significant sized” housing development outside of the council’s identified direction of growth for the town.

And he added: “Insufficient information has been submitted to us to demonstrate that the development is acceptable in terms of traffic impact and highway safety at the Townsend and Bay Hill junction and that the proposal would be served by safe and suitable means of access for all people.

“The proposed development would have an adverse impact upon the significant and setting of designated heritage assets within the locality.”

Mr Norris has indicated, however, that the applicant has a right of appeal against the council’s decision.

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