Proposed residential development on
Land at Windmill Hill, North Curry
This website provides an outline of the scheme and seeks the views and comments of the local community on the proposals
WELCOME
Welcome to the consultation webpage for the proposed development in the region of 30 homes on land at Windmill Hill, North Curry.
Greenslade Taylor Hunt is preparing an outline planning application on behalf of Greatworth Property Managers Ltd for the development of this site.
This webpage provides information regarding the proposed development. We welcome your feedback on this information and the emerging proposals.
The Development Site
The site for the proposed development is located at the southwestern edge of the village adjacent to Windmill Hill. The site comprises a rectangular parcel of agricultural land, totalling approximately 1.84 ha.
The land is located wholly within Flood Zone 1, the lowest category of flood risk. The site is not within any area designated for environmental or landscape purposes.
In terms of heritage constraints, the site does not form part of a Conservation Area and is not an Area of High Archaeological Potential. The site is located opposite Ebenezer Chapel, which is a Grade II Listed Building.
There is a public right of way through the site along the eastern boundary (Footpath T17/32), which connects Windmill Hill and Greenway.
The site forms part of the Somerset Levels Moors Catchment for Nutrient Neutrality, and any application to develop this site will need to demonstrate nutrient neutrality.
North Curry is a vibrant village which benefits from a good range of local services and facilities, making it a sustainable settlement for new homes. North Curry benefits from a good range of local services and facilities to meet the day-to-day needs of residents, many of which are within walking distance of the proposed development site. These include North Curry CofE Primary School, Little Heron Nursery, North Curry Village Hall, North Curry Green Lane Allotments, North Curry Pavilion and Playing Fields, a Local Pub (Bird in Hand), a Convenience Store (Londis), a Post Office, The Coffee Shop, a Hairdresser's, North Curry Cricket Club and North Curry Football Club.
The proposed development would connect and integrate into the existing settlement to become a sustainable extension to the existing community.
The site has been submitted to Somerset Council as part of their Call for Sites earlier this year as a site that is suitable, available and achievable for housing development.
Location Plan (site outlined in red)
Our Proposals
We are in the process of preparing an outline planning application for the development of approximately 30 homes. The application will seek the Council's opinion on the number of new homes proposed and the details of the access. All other matters, including the scale, layout, appearance and landscaping, would be addressed subsequently.
Site and Policy Analysis
The emerging proposals subject to this consultation have been formed following significant analysis of the site, including:
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A comprehensive review of the local highway network, and the preparation of proposed highway enhancements to facilitate and encourage walking and cycling through the village in consultation with Somerset Council.
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Flood Risk and drainage investigations, including ground condition tests;
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Assessment of arboricultural and ecological constraints on the site;
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A heritage assessment to assess the impact of the proposals on the historic environment.
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Landscape impact of the proposals, including a landscape and visual impact appraisal; and
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Existing utilities on site.
A comprehensive assessment has been undertaken of local and national policy and engagement with the North Curry Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.
The Proposed Development
This analysis has informed the emerging proposals, which include the following features:
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The development of up to 32 dwellings, to include 8 affordable homes;
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New vehicle access onto Windmill Hill, incorporating appropriate visibility splays;
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Provision of a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain;
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Retention of the public right of way to the east of the site to provide pedestrian connectivity;
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Public Open Space within the development; and
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On-site surface water attenuation.
In addition to the onsite works, our proposals also include the following:
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Construction of a footway link into the village, integrated within a traffic calming scheme on Windmill Hill, agreed in principle with the highway authority following a Stage 1 Road Safety Audit;
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Possible connection between the site and the adjoining play park, along with financial contributions towards local play provision;
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Other contributions to education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Illustrative Masterplan
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What's changed?
We appreciate that a previous application for the development of this site for up to 45 homes was refused in October 2013.
We have worked in collaboration with our specialist consultant team to address the concerns raised by the local community and the Council’s reasons for refusal. The reasons for the previous refusal will be addressed as follows:
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A reduction in the scale of development. This application proposed in the region of 30 homes. This will reduce density, extent of impermeable surfacing and the landscape impact of the proposals.
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Proposed improvements to Windmill Hill to enhance highway safety and pedestrian connectivity into the village. (Please see pedestrian improvement plan for details.)
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A drainage strategy, informed by detailed ground investigations, will be incorporated to slow the rate of surface water leaving the site, resulting in a reduction in surface water flood risk in the village.
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The illustrative masterplan minimises hedgerow removal and will incorporate a comprehensive landscaping scheme.
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The proposals will incorporate bungalows to the west of the site to further minimise visual impacts and provide a greater mix of housing types; and
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Commitment to a S.106 legal agreement to ensure that 25% of the proposed homes will be 'affordable housing', and financial contributions towards education, healthcare and infrastructure.
Proposed Windmill Hill Traffic-calming & Pedestrian Improvements
Have Your Say
We welcome your thoughts on these proposals. Please let us know, using the form or contact details below, if you have any suggestions that could help shape or improve the proposals.
Your feedback will be considered as we finalise the proposals before submission to the Somerset Council.
Land at Windmill Hill, North Curry Consultation
c/o Greenslade Taylor Hunt
Winchester House
Deane Gate Avenue
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2UH
Email: landplanning.taunton@gth.net
We are welcoming community comments and feedback as part of this consultation, which will run until Friday, 3rd October.
The planning application will then be finalised ahead of its submission to the Somerset Council. The Council will thereafter carryout their own consultation to inform their decision-making.