Butleigh homes approved despite flooding and traffic fears

Residents are worried that the village is growing too quickly

New homes, a cafe and a work hub have been approved in a small village where flooding is a "present reality".

Galion Homes put forward proposals in October 2021 to build 37 homes and commercial facilities on Baltonsborough Road in Butleigh, Somerset.

Residents criticised the plans, saying the village was growing too quickly and the new homes would worsen flooding.

But Somerset Council voted to approve the proposals by five votes to three, with two abstentions.

Galion founder Angus Macdonald said the development would deliver a 35% biodiversity net gain - far in excess of the government's 10% threshold for new developments.

The committee voted to approve the plans by five votes to three, with two abstentions

Resident Jackie Lloyd said the growth of the village was not proportionate, with another nearby Galion proposed development of 32 homes on Sub Road already having outline permission.

She said: "The council's housing allocation for Butleigh has been met. If this is granted, we will exceed our target by 26%. The development is not a logical, organic extension of the village."

Trevor Willmott, chairman of Butleigh Parish Council said flooding and traffic remained concerns.

He added: "We continue to oppose this development. Flooding is not a future possibility, but a present reality.

"A further 100-car increase, which this development would provide, would make passage through our high street, including for emergency vehicles, very difficult."

In addition to the two sites in Butleigh, Galion is also seeking permission to build 36 homes in Baltonsborough, 49 in Horton, and 30 in Keinton Mandeville, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Claire Sully said: "Is there a need for housing with all the other live planning applications that are going on?"

However, councillor Shane Collins praised the developer's environmental credentials.

He said: "The developer is to be congratulated - at least we are getting proposals coming to this committee which are above government guidelines in terms of solar panels and air source heat pumps."

A proposal to refuse permission, put forward by Ms Sully, was refused on the casting vote of chairman Nick Cottle.