The Planning Committee - South of Somerset Council scheduled a meeting to take place on 16 September 2025, where they were expected to discuss a tree preservation order, a householder planning application, and a full planning application for a residential development. The committee was also scheduled to note a report on recent appeal decisions.

Planning Application - Land off Abbey Close, Curry Rivel

The committee was scheduled to consider planning application 23/02554/FUL for a change of use of land to residential for the erection of 18 dwellings, including means of access, foul and surface water drainage, landscaping, formation of an attenuation pond¹ and associated works, at Land OS 7515, Drayton Lane, Curry Rivel, Langport.

The application was submitted by West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd, and the report pack recommended that it be approved, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement².

The report pack noted that the South area of Somerset Council could not demonstrate a five year housing land supply, so a 'tilted balance' would be engaged in favour of granting planning permission, unless any adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

The proposed development included 6 affordable housing units. It was noted that Curry Rivel Parish Council and Drayton Parish Council had objected to the application.

The report pack stated that the main planning issues relevant to the assessment of the application were:

• Principle of Development
• Visual Amenity & Historic Environment
• Flood Risk and Surface Water Management
• Ecology
• Highways Safety
• Residential Amenity
• Sustainability
• Development Viability and Planning Obligations
• Environmental Impact Assessment Screening

The report pack also included summaries of the comments of consultees, including Curry Rivel Parish Council, who objected on the grounds that the revised layout had moved larger properties further into the site, with first storey windows of Plot 18 looking directly at 56 Abbey Close, causing significant loss of privacy, overlooking and an overbearing nature. They also stated that the reduction to 18 houses did not sufficiently reduce density, and that the site borders a Conservation Area, so development must avoid harm to protected natural assets.

Drayton Parish Council also objected, stating that the application changes the rural aspect between communities and is seen as creeping urbanisation, and that the approach to Drayton Conservation Area will be negatively impacted.

Planning Application - Tunstall, Cary Road, North Cadbury

The committee was scheduled to determine a householder application for a proposed single storey rear extension to dwelling at Tunstall, Cary Road, North Cadbury, Yeovil, Somerset BA22 7DJ. The application also included the demolition of an existing uPVC conservatory.

The applicant was named as Nicola Hix, and the report pack noted that the application was referred to the committee because the applicant is a Director at Somerset Council.

The report pack recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions. It stated that the proposal, by reason of its size, scale and materials, respects the character of the conservation area and causes no demonstrable harm to residential amenity, visual amenity, highway safety or other environmental concerns.

One neighbour objection was received, stating that there were no objections to the extension itself, but an objection to the proposed flue, because of the distance to their bedroom window and the belief that harmful smoke may enter.

Tree Preservation Order - Buckland St. Mary No. 1

The committee was scheduled to consider a recommendation relating to Tree Preservation Order BUCKLAND ST. MARY NO. 1, which protects 6 trees and 5 tree groups in the greenspace south/to the rear of St Marys Close, Buckland St. Mary.

The report pack recommended that the Tree Preservation Order be confirmed unmodified.

The reasons for serving the TPO were that a planning application had been submitted for the construction of 3 dwellings on the site, and members of the community had expressed concerns about the impact to the existing treescape.

Two objections to the TPO had been received, one from Parish Councillors on behalf of the owner of KANDAHAR (an adjacent property), and another from Buckland Parish Council. The reasons given for the objection to the TPO were that the tree encroaches over the boundary of Kandahar to the east, and the pinecones dropped have caused damage to the property, and that the tree should not be protected under a TPO, as this will prevent remedial works, or removal if required.

The report pack stated that the TPO will not prevent works from occurring to abate encroachment, and that the trees may still be pruned subject to an application, in which permission is typically granted provided the proposal is proportionate and sufficiently justified.

The report pack also included a note of support from Spencer Gregory, Abri Tree Officer SW, who stated that the mature trees are an integral part of their Communal Scheme and have been present on their ground for a considerable time, and that they apply a visual, aesthetic impact to their land and will also undoubtedly add an ecological value to the area.

Appeal Decisions

The committee was scheduled to note the appeal decisions report, which provided information on planning appeal decisions received for the Planning Committee - South area since the previous agenda was published (6th June 2025). The report included details of appeals relating to:

• Land at Cider Press Farm, Knole Causeway, Knole, Langport TA10 9HY
• Stockelm Cottage, Street Road, Compton Dundon, Somerton, Somerset, Grid Ref: Easting (x): 348781 Northing (y): 133315
• Land at OS3727 Part, Windmill Hill Lane, Ashill, Ilminster TA19 9PA

All three appeals were dismissed.