Plans for the first 109 homes at the Oakmere Rise development north of Yeovil’s Mudford Road have been changed, with a proposed constructed wetland replaced by attenuation ponds and reed-beds. The revision has prompted concern among communities downstream about flood protection, biodiversity and the wider River Yeo catchment.
Yeovil LVA LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in March 2024 for 252 homes on the Mudford Sock site, north of the A359 Mudford Road. The land was later sold to Bloor Homes South West, which has submitted detailed plans for the first phase of the development, now known as Oakmere Rise.
What is changing at 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.
Somerset Council’s planning committee south has approved a different drainage design. The wetland area will instead contain a sustainable urban drainage system, known as SUDS, incorporating attenuation ponds and reed-beds. Land originally earmarked for the wetlands is due to become public open space.
The amended plans have raised questions from groups representing Ashington, Chilton Cantelo and Mudford. The 3 Villages Flood Group said the original planning inspector had viewed the cascading wetlands as serving a wider flood-mitigation purpose, rather than being used only for phosphate control.
“He questioned the evidence supporting the new drainage system’s equivalence in flood storage and protection.”
Concerns have also been strengthened by monitoring from the Yeovil Community Rivers Trust. The trust found rainfall near the site was approximately 37% higher than the developer’s models had accounted for. Its findings have led to calls to consider the combined effect of additional developments sending water into the same drainage network.
Flood risk and environmental arguments
James Cary, chairman of the Friends of Mudford Action Group, compared the repeated changes to the plans with the “Trigger’s Broom” scene from Only Fools and Horses. He said removing the wetlands would reduce the area’s landscape character, environmental benefits and biodiversity.
Dawn Woodward, a local resident and FOMAG member, said the change undermined wider flood-risk management for the River Yeo catchment. The 3 Villages Flood Group also questioned the resilience of downstream communities.
Councillor Stephen Page, Liberal Democrat for Somerton, asked whether the revised drainage 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.
Councillors Mike Stanton and Oliver Patrick, both Liberal Democrats, supported the amended plans. Councillor Stanton said the replacement system was likely to be more environmentally friendly and visually appealing. Councillor Patrick highlighted a projected 20% biodiversity net gain—twice the minimum requirement—and said mechanical pumps for an artificial wetland would have a greater carbon footprint than passive SUDS.
When will further decisions be made?
After about two hours of debate, the committee approved the amended plans by seven votes to three, with one abstention. 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 the development, particularly how the revised drainage system performs as construction progresses and more water enters the shared catchment.