Planning applications are a common issue raised with councillors.
I aim to submit comments on major applications and those of wider community interest in the division, as well as sometimes on other applications when significant local matters have been brought to my attention.
Below are links to my comments on significant applications submitted since April 2018 (most recent first). Applications and comments can be viewed on the council’s online planning portal – search by using the application number shown.
Land west of Manor Farm, Wiveliscombe – 100 dwellings, public open space, pedestrian, cycle and access connections onto the B3227
• Outline application (49/25/0038) – My comments, December 2025
OUTCOME: Decision is yet to be made.
Greenway Farm, North Street, Wiveliscombe – 25 dwellings
• Outline application (49/24/0057) – My comments, January 2025
OUTCOME: Outline permission was approved by Planning Committee West on 24 February 2026. A further detailed application for reserved matters will need to follow.
REPORT: I now have a seat on Planning Committee West and voted against this decicision, which was approved by 6 votes to 4.
I spoke on problems that could result from this development, including drainage issues and flooding risks, and from additional traffic in the town centre. I highlighted that Wivey already has more than its share of new housing (which is driven by government targets), and that the application conflicts with planning policy due to landscape impact and the site being outside the settlement boundary.
I raised further concerns about the lack of infrastructure contribution from the developer; although they will have to pay £471,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy, with 15% of this (£70,650) being passed to Wiveliscombe Town Council. I sought an additional financial contribution for town centre improvements, but this was not agreed.
7 of the new houses will be affordable (28%). 5 for social rent and 2 shared ownership. All will have a local connection tie.
For the detailed application that needs to follow, I was successful in ensuring this will require plans to manage surface water drainage. These plans will need to be approved by Somerset Council and the drainage system fully implemented prior to the start of construction.
Previously, my comments on the application included a call for higher energy performance, which has been included in planning conditions that were approved. This will require high levels of insulation, solar PV panels, waste-water heat recovery, low-carbon heating, such as air source heat pumps, and measures to reduce water consumption and energy demand during construction and occupation. Other planning conditions include requirements for a lighting design for bats, biodiversity net gain, wildlife protection, electric vehicle charging points, covered and secure cycle parking, high-speed internet, bin storage, garaging and space for on-site parking, tree and hedgerow protection, a play area, and a comprehensive Construction Environmental Management Plan to be approved by Somerset Council.
Scarlet Elf, Tracebridge, Stawley – Wellness retreat with 3 glamping pods, yoga studio and treatment room
• Full application (35/24/0004) – My comments, June 2024
OUTCOME: Refused by the Planning Director on 25 September 2026.
Little Fort, Milverton – Solar panels on roof (listed building)
• Full application (23/23/0040/LB & 23/24/0022) – My comments: January 2024 & July 2024
OUTCOME: Listed building consent and planning permission approved by Planning Committee on 2 April 2024. I spoke at meeting to support the application.
Abbotsfield, Wiveliscombe – Solar panels on roofs (listed building)
• Full application (49/23/0022/LB) – My comments, April 2023
OUTCOME: Approved by Executive Director on 31 May 2023
The Old Brewery, Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe – 2 dwellings (amend plots 1 & 2)
• Full application (49/23/0030) – My comments, June 2023
OUTCOME: Application withdrawn. New application submitted May 2024 (49/24/0028/NMA) – decision yet to be made.
The Old Brewery, Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe – 2 dwellings (amend plots 8 & 9)
• Full application (49/23/0026) – My comments, April 2023
OUTCOME: Application withdrawn. New application submitted May 2024 (49/24/0028/NMA) – decision yet to be made.
The Old Brewery, Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe – 5 dwellings
• Full application (49/23/0009) – My comments, March 2023
OUTCOME: Application withdrawn. New application submitted May 2024 (49/24/0028/NMA) – decision yet to be made.
The Old Brewery, Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe – Changes to units 1 & 2 in application 49/06/0008
• Full application (49/23/0005/NMA) – My comments, March 2023
OUTCOME: Refused by Executive Director on 26 May 2023.
Golden Hill Brewery, Wiveliscombe – 25 flats and community enterprise hub
• Full application (49/22/0022) – My comments, August 2022
OUTCOME: Decision yet to be made.
Whitefield, Wiveliscombe – agricultural building for the rearing of calves
• Full application (49/21/0030) – My comments: June 2021, July 2022, October 2022
OUTCOME: Decision deferred by Planning Committee on 23 June 2022 and 21 July 2022, followed by decision of conditional approval on 19 October 2022.
Halsdown and Trowell Farms, Waterrow – New surfaces on private farm tracks
• Full application (09/21/0006) – My comments, June 2021
OUTCOME: Delegated decision by officers for conditional approval on 30/07/2021.
West Northcott Farm, Ashbrittle – Formation of slurry lagoon
• Full application (01/20/0009) – My comments, December 2020
OUTCOME: Application withdrawn.
Burges Lane, Wiveliscombe – 71 dwellings
• Detailed application for reserved matters (49/20/0034) – My comments: 12 July 2020, 24 July 2020, 2 January 2024
OUTCOME: Planning Committee on 25 June 2024 (5 for, 3 abstained) gave delegated authority to officers to grant approval of reserved matters subject to conditions and the prior completion of a S106 agreement to secure phosphate mitigation.
REPORT: As the local Somerset Councillor, I spoke at the committee meeting to oject to this application, which is the third phase of Willow Mead (previous phases are new housing at Luxton Way, Dixon Close and Styles Road). Outline permission had been given in 2020 and the committee decision was only on detailed ‘reserved matters’, including layout. Willow Mead Residents Association raised concerns about shared assets, such as the drainage pond. Outside afterwards, potentially helpful discussions were held with site agents. I also raised concerns about management of the shared assets (costs fall on the residents), as well as about energy standards, access issues and displaced parking from along Burges Lane. There will be a new parking courtyard for current Burges Lane residents with 14 spaces, but twice that number are needed. Some consideration was given by committee to the problems raised, but the only concession given was to ensure all homes have electric vehicle charging points. 25% of the homes will be affordable, with a mix of social rent (60% of market rates) and shared ownership. There will be 12 new allotments and funding to support new infrastructure. In my view the design of the new estate is poor. The layout is dense and made worse by requiring driveways out on to Burges Lane and on to Heathstock Hill. However, the decision is now made. The housing will follow and, in time, there will be new residents to welcome.
Halsdown Farm, Pinkhouse Farm Lane, Waterrow – New vehicle access and parking area
• Full application (09/20/0004) – My comments, July 2020
OUTCOME: Delegated decision by officers to give conditional approval on 10 September 2020.
Bulland Estate, off New Road, (B3227), Wiveliscombe – Shooting lodge
• Full application (49/20/0032) – My comments 1, June 2020, My comments 2, July 2020
• Comments submitted for committee meeting
• Shooting lodge approved but helipad removed
OUTCOME: Approved by Planning Committee (8 for, 5 abstain) on 3 September 2020.
Kingsmead Academy, Wiveliscombe – Demolition and new buildings
• Full application (49/20/0009) – My comments 1, April 2020, My comments 2, June 2020
• Controversy over Kingsmead School new buildings
OUTCOME: Delegated decision by officers to give conditional approval on 26 June 2020 (decision should have been referred to Planning Committee).
Bulland Estate, off New Road (B3227), Wiveliscombe – Helipad
• Full application (49/19/0059) – My comments 1, Jan 2020, My comments 2, Feb 2020
• Shooting lodge approved but helipad removed
OUTCOME: Approved by Planning Committee (7 for, 5 against) on 14 May 2020, but applicant then removed helipad already built. I spoke at the online meeting to object to the application and was contacted by the applicant the day after.
Sandys Moor, Wiveliscombe – 94 dwellings and light industrial units
• Outline application (49/18/0045) – My comments, August 2018
• Application for internal estate road to SWT (49/20/0028) – May 2020
• Detailed application for reserved matters (49/20/0016) – My comments, April 2020
• Unwanted housing proposed for business site at Sandys Moor
• Application for housing and light industry at Sandys Moor
• Approval for mixed use development at Sandys Moor in Wivey
• Sandys Moor – design proposals for 94 new homes
OUTCOME: Outline approved by Planning Committee on 27 March 2019 (when I spoke to object to the application) and delegated decision by officers gave conditional approval for reserved matters on 5 August 2020.
Bittescombe Hill Farm, Bittescombe Lane, Upton – Change to mixed use including shooting lodge, health retreat and rural leisure uses
• Full application (3/36/18/006) – My comments, March 2019
OUTCOME: Delegated decision by officers gave conditional approval on 6 June 2019
Land off North Street, Wiveliscombe – 95 dwellings (Gladman Developments Ltd)
• Outline application (49/18/0001)
• Inquiry evidence submitted with others – October 2018
• Gladman – predatory developer targets Wivey
• Gladman appeal for housing off North Street (withdrawn – updated 7/11/2018)
OUTCOME: Application refused and Gladman appealed but later withdrew appeal.
