WINCANTON residents will have the opportunity to have their say and hear more about plans to build 650 homes, a care home, shops and more on a 66-hectare site in the west side of the town.

A public meeting to discuss the plans is taking place next Wednesday (September 11) at Wincanton Sports Ground on Moor Lane at 7pm.

Your New Blackmore Vale first reported on the potential development in September last year, with an outline planning application submitted this June.

READ MORE: Anger over plan for 650 homes, care home, shops and more in Wincanton

The scheme, submitted by Origin3 on behalf of Hook Valley LVA LLP, includes plans to demolish agricultural buildings on the Lawrence Hill site, with a 60 bed care home, a 60-place primary school/nursery and shops built alongside the homes as part of a ‘local centre’.

Around 2.2 hectares of the site would be allocated to ‘land for employment’.

An illustrative layout of the proposed development. Picture: Origin3/LVA

More than half of the development site would be used for “green infrastructure”, the plans said, including public open spaces, children’s play areas and “space for teenagers” including a multi-use games area, and allotments and community orchards.

The controversial application has received a host of objections, with concerns over the impact on health provision in the town and the development of green space.

Marion Tibbett, of Blackford, said: “The assumptions on which the application is based do not hold up when considered against the success (or not) of existing facilities and infrastructure (for example Health Centre, schools, roads).

“The Health Centre in particular is operating at maximum capacity with a much reduced staff from that in place in recent years, clear difficulties in recruiting.

“If the development is being considered for approval despite the overwhelming level of local objection, stringent constraints on developer supplied infrastructure must be applied.”

Ross Murray, of Wincanton, was among few comments in support of the scheme.

“I think the proposal is sound, however, the developer must be held to account on building supporting infrastructure like schooling and primary healthcare,” they said.

“I would also like to see a developer in this area offering homes under the First Home scheme in partnership with the council.”

If you would like to ask questions at the public meeting, Wincanton Town Council has asked for them to be submitted via email at townclerk@wincantontowncouncil.gov.uk

To view the plans and comment on the proposal, search 24/01257/OUT on somerset.gov.uk.

A website, www.westwincanton.co.uk, has also been launched.