New bid to build 130 homes in North East Somerset village

A developer has submitted an outline planning application to build up to 130 homes on four fields in a village in North East Somerset.

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It is the second time that Gladman Developments Limited has tried to get permission to build a new estate on 18 acres of land off Farrington Road, on the edge of Paulton.

Already more than 50 comments of objection have been sent to Bath & North East Somerset Council since the application was lodged earlier this month.

In March 2022, similar plans from the same developer were refused on six grounds. At the time the council said:

• The proposed estate would be outside the housing development boundary.
• The loss of “best and most versatile agricultural land” would not be outweighed by the proposed sustainability benefits.
• There were not enough facilities, amenities and employment opportunities in Paulton to limit future residents from having to travel by car, and the development would not be “genuinely accessible” by sustainable transport.
• There was a lack of suitable childcare and early years needs provision to cater for the proposed development.
• They had concerns about the impact of the access on road safety.
• The scale, location and visibility of the development would have a harmful effect.

Gladman Developments Limited has submitted the new application “within the context of the government’s renewed focus on boosting housing supply and delivery to significantly greater levels than seen in the past to resolve what the Secretary of State has called the most acute housing crisis in living memory”.

The developer says B&NES currently has a shortage of housing land supply, and Paulton is identified as a sustainable settlement and is suitable for additional housing.

The plans include 30% affordable housing, public open space, landscaping, a sustainable drainage system, access and the demolition of a farm building.

The application says there are very good opportunities for bus travel near the site as well as good cycle access. All homes will have cycle parking provision.

Biodiversity will be protected, diversified and improved through new hedgerow and tree planting, gardens and formal and informal green spaces. Overall, the proposal will achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity.

One of the comments posted on the council’s planning portal says: “Paulton has already had large developments within the village without the ‘promised’ services being put into place. Some of the properties within these developments still remain unsold. Why build more when there are properties unsold?”

Another objector says people in Paulton are already struggling with getting doctors’ appointments and dental appointments, adding: “The traffic has also increased through Paulton and parking has increased on the main roads. I have lived here all my life and it breaks my heart to see such a small village turn into a mini-city.

“The new building plans will affect me and my family dearly as we love seeing the wildlife (deer) roam through our fields and the beautiful views we see every day. I am strongly objecting to these plans as I love where I live.

“We have always been a strong community and we simply just don’t need more housing. We can’t cope with any more pressure on Paulton as a whole.”

Another observes: “The wildlife has decreased massively in the area recently. With new housing popping up all over the Radstock, Westfield, Paulton and Midsomer Norton area, they’re running out of places to go.

“Traffic is at an all-time high and the local residents and wildlife are massively suffering.”

The deadline for comments is 12th September. The planning reference is 25/03044/OUT.