A “ONCE-in-a-generation” housing development that will bring more than 600 new homes to a Somerset town has been unanimously approved by local councillors.

C G Fry and Sons, in conjunction with the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, applied back in July 2018 for outline permission to build up to 620 new homes on land south of the A371 Cannard’s Grave Road in Shepton Mallet.

Following years of negotiations and delays brought on by the phosphates crisis, the plans – which also include a primary school, a care home and commercial space – came before Somerset Council’s planning committee east on Monday morning (September 1).

Despite concerns about parking provision and the need for a community centre, the committee voted unanimously to back the proposals after more than two hours’ debate.

The site is designed to deliver the bulk of Shepton Mallet’s new housing over a ten-year period, being allocated in both the Mendip Local Plan Part I (which was ratified in December 2014) and the Shepton Mallet Neighbourhood Plan (which was formally adopted in mid-August this year).

The primary vehicular access to the site will be from Cannard’s Grave Road, with a new roundabout being constructed to replace the existing entrance into the Tadley Acres estate (via Little Brooks Lane).

Of the 620 new homes planned within the site, 30 per cent will be affordable (the equivalent of 186 properties), meeting the council’s target for any new development of ten homes or more within the former Mendip area.

The new school (which will be delivered near the main road) could be delivered through one of two means, depending on the viability of the site; either the developer will construct it entirely under its own steam, or it will set aside the land and provide the council with more than £8.1-million to build the facility.

Additional contributions will made to special needs schooling elsewhere in the Shepton area (to the tune of nearly £258,000) and to local NHS facilities (with nearly £276,000 being shared between the Grove House Surgery and the Park Medical Practice).

New walking and cycling links will be provided throughout the site (including enhancements to the existing footpaths) and to provide onward travel, with a new pedestrian crossing over the A371 and around £25,000 being provided for improvements to the Strawberry Line or other local active travel projects.

Richard Thomas, the outgoing chairman of the Shepton Mallet Neighbourhood Plan steering group, told the committee when it met mere yards from the site on Monday (September 1) that delivering a community hall or similar building was essential for the town’s future.

He said: “We do need this housing to help with the town’s economic regeneration, but what’s missing is a community building with meeting rooms and health facilities.”

After over two hours of debate, the committee unanimously backed the plans. A reserved matters application on the design and layout is due early next year, with construction potentially starting in 2027 if approved.