Hard-won Appeal Success for 30 New Homes in Somerset

Salmon Planning + Architecture is delighted to announce the successful outcome of a planning appeal for our client, Galion Homes Ltd, to erect 30 new homes following Somerset Council’s earlier refusal of permission for a high-quality residential development at land off Queen Street, Keinton Mandeville.

The Planning Inspectorate has now allowed the appeal (Reference: APP/E3335/W/24/3357931) and granted full planning permission for the erection of 30 new homes, including 11 affordable dwellings, together with associated access, parking, and landscaping.

A Well-Considered and Sustainable Development

The appeal Inspector accepted that the appeal site, located on the edge of Keinton Mandeville, is a logical infill development surrounded by existing housing. The Inspector also agreed with Salmon Planning’s case that the development represents a sustainable and well-integrated extension of the village, with ready access to local services.

Heritage Considerations

A key issue in the appeal was the setting of a nearby Grade II listed building. The Inspector concluded that while there would be some limited harm to the heritage asset’s setting, this was outweighed by the significant public benefits of delivering much-needed housing -particularly in the form of affordable homes - in an area facing a severe housing land supply shortfall. Somerset Council (Area South) is only currently able to demonstrate 2.11 years’ supply.

Nutrient neutrality - phosphates

On environmental matters, the Inspector accepted that the bespoke phosphate mitigation strategy - comprising off-site woodland creation - would successfully achieve nutrient neutrality, enabling the scheme to proceed without harm to the integrity of the Somerset Levels and Moors Ramsar site.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the Inspector’s decision was the conclusion that off-site phosphate mitigation could be secured via a planning condition rather than necessitating a Section 106 legal agreement. While the Council and the Appellant had disagreed on this point, the Inspector accepted that the Appellant held a suitable interest in the mitigation land and, referencing the advice of Natural England, saw no robust barrier to the strategy’s delivery.

Looking forward

This positive outcome reflects the expertise, persistence, and collaborative approach of the team at Salmon Planning + Architecture in conjunction with legal submissions by Caroline Waller at Clarke Willmott. 

We are proud to have helped our client achieve this important consent, unlocking the delivery of high-quality homes in a sustainable Somerset village. With the appeal now allowed, we look forward to the next phase of this excellent new development. 

If you have had planning permission refused and are considering an appeal, or perhaps you are considering the development potential of a site, Salmon Planning Company + Architecture are well placed to help with expert planning advice and in-house specialist architectural services. 

With offices in Somerset and Devon please contact us on 01749 671500 or email info@salmonplanning.co.uk

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