More new homes will be built near the M5 in Taunton as the town awaits the outcome of plans for more than 1,400 additional homes just down the road.

Brandon Jeffery secured planning permission in late-June to build 33 homes at Langaller Manor Farm on North End in Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton.

Mr Jeffery applied in February 2023 to build a further five homes on a small plot of land opposite this site, with access being off Langaller Lane.

Somerset Council’s planning committee west (which handles major applications within the former Somerset West and Taunton area) has now given the backing to these plans, despite concerns about over-development and damage to local trees.

The site lies between the M5 and the second phase of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension, where Persimmon Homes South West and Redrow Homes are awaiting planning permission for an additional 1,450 homes, along with commercial space, a new school and other infrastructure.

West Monkton Parish Council objected to the plans, arguing that they amounted to “over-development” and that three homes would be a more appropriate number for this plot size.

Parish clerk Amy Shepherd said: “It isn’t clear from the submitted plans how the proposal is impacted by the road layout proposed as part of the Monkton Heathfield phase two planning application.

“The proposal includes detail of the proposed phosphate mitigation solution in
order to achieve nutrient neutrality, and states that there will be a temporary
fallowing of cattle grazing on land also owned by the applicant.

Sufficient measures must be put in place to ensure that the land is fallowed throughout the period that it provides temporary mitigation.”

Councillor Gwilym Wren (Upper Tone) spoke reluctantly in favour of the plans when Somerset Council’s planning committee west met in Taunton on Tuesday afternoon (August 20).

He said: “The principle of development on this site is going to be very difficult to refuse. We know there are policies in this area to support new homes.”

Councillor Norman Cavill (whose Monkton and North Curry division includes the site) said: “When we did the community governance review, we missed a trick. We should have made the motorway the boundary between Monkton Heathfield and Creech St. Michael.

“We know that Manor Farm has permission for 33 homes. The Manor House is to the right of this proposed development, and there are two homes already built with permission for three more.

“When you build houses under big trees, it can cause problems for people living there. Trying to squeeze five homes onto this site fills me with concern.”

Councillor Rosemary Woods (Watchet and Stogursey) added: “I wouldn’t want the impact on Langaller Manor House being left to reserved matters.

“If we grant outline permission, they’ll put whatever they like there. Let’s not leave this to chance.”

Despite these reservations, the committee voted to approve the plans by six votes to one, with two abstentions.

A decision on phase two of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension is expected to be taken by the committee in the autumn.