A BID to change the planning permission for 130 homes in Henstridge has been submitted in the hope the developer will be able to start work.
The scheme would see work start on land at Townsend Green, off Stalbridge Road and Woodhayes Way, but would allow for “no development above damp-proof course” to take place until pedestrian improvements have been agreed.
The application, by LRM Planning Ltd on behalf Barratt David Wilson Homes, comes after a proposal to alter the conditions was refused by the council planning committee in October, as it was deemed it would create “increased congestion within the village” and cause problems for pedestrians.
A proposed yellow box system was rejected, as it would not allow delivery vehicles to stop at homes in the High Street, they added.
The development is planned off the A357 through Henstridge and has been years in the making. Picture: Google
Outline plans for the development of the homes had already been approved by a planning inspector in 2018, after an appeal by developers when an initial application was refused. However, the approval was on condition of pedestrian works being carried out.
Now, the fresh application aims to disregard the pedestrian conditions, with development not proceeding “above damp-course” until that aspect has been agreed.
“As you are aware, we had submitted a scheme that satisfied officers and the Highway Department however, that was refused by members,” the application said.
“It is therefore proposed that the condition is varied in order to allow further time for consultation with stakeholders.”
The proposed amendment to the planning conditions included: “No development above damp proof course shall take place until a scheme for pedestrian improvements has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.”
It said it hopes the amendment will mean “progress can be made while a new solution is found”.
How the development could look once completed. Picture: Roberts Limbrick/Somerset Council
But the plan has received opposition from some residents.
Susan Latimer, of Henstridge, said: “Please do not allow this crazy situation to continue.
“The developers know that they have to provide a solution to the traffic management and public safety through the village, so why are they planning to throw money away by building footings? I object strongly to this application.”
And Kieran Sheldon, of High Street, Henstridge, added: “I am not against the development overall. However, I have real concerns about the developer being able to pursue building to damp course level without having met conditions for pedestrian safety.
“Achieving damp course level will significantly increase heavy goods vehicle and wider construction traffic without improvements for pedestrian safety – the road through Henstridge or Stalbridge cannot handle this increase with risk to safety.
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“Proceeding to damp course level sets the conditions for a subsequent argument by the contractor to just ‘finish it off’ rather than leave the eyesore of half finished buildings.
“And so this sets a dangerous first condition to the developer achieving the building without ever dealing with pedestrian safety.
“It should not be allowed until plans for safety on our roads have been agreed (at least) or implemented to cope with additional construction traffic (ideally).”
It has already impacted on the wildlife taking out all the hedges in the field the birds used to live in. We used to have the cuckoo, wood peckers, kestrel and buzzards in that field. And no more. The plan to put all the hardcase into the ground before planning above damp proof course is absurd!!
The developer should have done their homework before buying this land.
The high street is already unsafe for pedestrians with its narrow pavements and heavy goods vehicles thundering through.
I take my life in my hands going out my front door.
More people, more vehicles?
Pedestrian safety MUST be made paramount.