Hundreds of new homes possible as Somerset land is approved for development

A strip of land between Street and Walton has been given the green light to be used for around 500 new homes.

The land, which has previously been used as farmland, has been deemed a suitable location to build homes, under Mendip District Council's draft core strategy.

The yellow part of the map near Brooks Road, Street, shows the area earmarked for new homes. The blue and white hatched area shows the possible site for relocating Crispin School and the pink area shows an area for employment and business. The bright yellow area represents the main shopping area, and green patches represent public open spaces

The document sets out a set of objectives to guide change in the district over the next 20 years, including overall levels of housing, employment and other forms of development, as well as strategies for the five Mendip towns.

The strategy, due to be adopted in autumn, calls for 1,300 new homes to be built in Street between now and 2026.

The strategy also envisages Crispin School moving to a new location, opposite Millfield School, and the relocation of Street Football club.

John Meeker from the district council's planning policy team said: "The district council has been progressing a new development plan for the area for the last four years.

"We found a need for 4,000 to 5,000 new homes on greenfield sites near Street.

"We looked at three areas around Street, the Strode College area, the Higher Brooks area south of Street and land in Walton."

The Strode area was considered too much of a flood risk and there were landscape concerns and the Higher Brooke area was ruled out on access and landscape grounds.

Mr Meeker said: "Land in Walton parish on the western side of Street was considered most appropriate for a new housing development."

An access road would be needed and planning permission would need to be applied for.

Mr Meeker said: "It was considered to the most suitable site to build around 400 homes.

"It will probably be seven or eight years before the first house is built."

For more information about the core strategy visit: http://tinyurl .com/7pmproq.

Do you think the land is suitable for housing in Street and Walton? Do you agree with the number of houses the council believe we will need? Write to the editor at editor@midsom news.co.uk, or write to us at Central Somerset Gazette, Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH.