The village of Chilcompton is facing a land grab which would for ever dramatically transform the size and rural appearance of the village and the lifestyle of its residents.

This very serious threat is coming from a Planning Application from land promoter, Gladman, to build 95 houses on farmland which is also Green Belt outside the village’s building development limits. This Application was turned down by Mendip Planning in August – but now Gladman has appealed this decision with the Government Inspectorate.

Commenting, on behalf of CARO (Chilcompton Against Rural Over-development), Rich Morgan says “ Gladman’s Planning Application is the largest single development that Chilcompton has ever faced in its history. If allowed to go through, it would increase our housing supply by an enormous ten per cent. It would affect the look and very fabric of our village and change our rural way of life for ever.”

Gladman’s strategy over the past two years has been to one-by-one attack villages in North Mendip and South B&NES with proposals to build large housing estates. Namely:

Coleford – Gladman proposal to build 63 houses turned down by Planning Officer – but passed when Gladman went to Appeal.

Writhlington – Gladman’s application to build 160 homes on farmland was rejected by B&NES in 2019. They are now proposing an even larger development of 255 homes on productive arable land in Writhlington.

Paulton is the latest target! Gladman have recently applied to build up to 130 houses.

Chilcompton – 95 houses – turned down by Mendip Planning. Now at Appeal with the Government Inspectorate.

CARO says ‘we are not NIMBYs’. Chilcompton has already more than doubled its housing allocation under Mendip Housing Plan Part 1 – a fact acknowledged by Mendip Council when considering the new 5 year Mendip Local Land Housing Supply Part II. In fact, Chilcompton is the only village in Mendip to have exceeded its allocation of houses in Mendip PP I, ie 250% more than allocated.

The Inquiry will take place at Council Chambers, Mendip District Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5BT on 7th December 2021 at: 10:00 (Application Number 21/00023/2021)

Over 220 people objected in writing to Gladman’s original Planning Application and a petition of objection with well over 400 signatures was also submitted to Mendip Planning. CARO members are working to consolidate new valid objections that have come to light and intend to make their presence felt at the Inquiry.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The site of Gladman’s proposed housing is on prime farmland between Hoecroft/Naishes Cross/Stockhill Road. Appeal Ref APP/Q3305/W/21/3280802