Almost 50 homes narrowly approved for Somerset village

The homes are set to be built on Broadway Hill in the village of Horton

Nearly 50 new homes will be built in a small Somerset village after revised plans were approved by a single vote.

Somerset Council refused initial plans for 49 homes in Horton in May 2023, saying they would cause overdevelopment and put a strain on services.

Glastonbury-based developer Galion put forward amended plans in October and appealed the original decision.

The new plans were approved after planning committee chairman Peter Seib used his casting vote.

The homes will be built on the western edge of Horton, between the village Hall and existing homes on Broadway Hill.

Amended plans have been approved by Somerset Council

When the developer submitted its plans last year, councillors raised concerns about a lack of contributions to "social and community infrastructure", such as places at Neroche Primary School in Ilminster.

Galion has now said it will contribute £200,000 towards extra secondary school places.

The company's appeal with the Planning Inspectorate is still being considered, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillors spent over an hour considering the amended plans, which involve changes to the layout of the homes.

Councillor Martin Wale, said: "It strikes me the developer's trying to get around the system, getting us to change our opinion from last time to stop the appeal. It doesn't seem right to me."

Other members spoke in support of the plans, arguing there were no legally binding reasons to refuse permission.

Councillor Kevin Messenger, said: "We can all find reasons to keep turning stuff down, but we haven't fulfilled our local housing requirement."

Councillor Evie Potts-Jones said she was "torn".

"I think this is going to change the whole area. However, we do need housing and I cannot see a reason on planning grounds to refuse this," she added.