Revised drainage plans for the first 109 homes at Oakmere Rise, north of Yeovil’s A359 Mudford Road, have been approved despite concerns from downstream communities about flooding, biodiversity and the River Yeo catchment.
Somerset Council’s planning committee voted seven to three in favour of the amended plans, with one councillor abstaining, after around two hours of debate. The changes remove constructed wetlands proposed for the development and replace them with attenuation ponds and reed-beds.
What is changing at Oakmere Rise?
The replacement features will form part of a sustainable urban drainage system, known as SUDS. Land originally intended for the wetlands is due to become public open space.
Yeovil LVA LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in March 2024 for 252 homes on the Mudford Sock site. The land was later sold to Bloor Homes South West, which submitted detailed plans for the first phase, now known as Oakmere Rise.
The original outline permission included a constructed treatment wetland on the northern edge of the site. It was intended to provide a substantial green buffer and help manage phosphate levels affecting the Somerset Levels and Moors. Under the revised plans, that area will instead contain attenuation ponds and reed-beds.
Why downstream communities remain concerned
Groups representing Ashington, Chilton Cantelo and Mudford have questioned whether the replacement system will provide the same flood storage and protection as the cascading wetlands envisaged in the original plans.
The 3 Villages Flood Group said the planning inspector had viewed the wetlands as having a wider flood-mitigation role, rather than being used only for phosphate control. The group also questioned the resilience of downstream communities as construction progresses and more water enters the shared drainage network.
Monitoring by the Yeovil Community Rivers Trust found rainfall near the site was approximately 37% higher than the developer’s models had accounted for. That finding prompted calls to consider the combined effect of other developments sending water into the same drainage network.
During the committee discussion, Councillor Stephen Page, the Liberal Democrat representative for Somerton, asked whether the revised arrangements could create health or safety risks, particularly for children living on the estate. Planning officer Dawn de Vries told the committee that an unsafe scheme would not be approved.
Reasons given for approving the plans
Councillors Mike Stanton and Oliver Patrick supported the amended plans. Stanton said the replacement system was likely to be more environmentally friendly and visually appealing.
Patrick highlighted a projected 20% biodiversity net gain, described as twice the minimum requirement. He also said mechanical pumps for an artificial wetland would have a greater carbon footprint than passive SUDS.
Decisions on the detailed first phase and a separate application to speed up construction of a new crossroads for the estate’s main access are expected before Christmas. Nearby communities are continuing to scrutinise how the revised drainage system performs as Oakmere Rise is built.