Plans for the first 109 homes at Yeovil’s Oakmere Rise have been revised after Somerset Council approved a new drainage design that removes proposed constructed wetlands from the scheme. The replacement will use attenuation ponds and reed-beds, with the land originally intended for the wetlands becoming public open space.
The development is north of Yeovil’s A359 Mudford Road. Groups representing downstream communities including Ashington, Chilton Cantelo and Mudford have raised concerns about flood protection, biodiversity and the wider River Yeo catchment.
What is changing at Oakmere Rise?
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 create a substantial green buffer and help manage phosphate levels affecting the Somerset Levels and Moors.
Under the amended plans, the wetland area will instead contain a sustainable urban drainage system, known as SUDS. This will incorporate attenuation ponds and reed-beds.
Flood and biodiversity concerns
The 3 Villages Flood Group said the original planning inspector had viewed the cascading wetlands as having a wider flood-mitigation purpose, rather than being used only for phosphate control. The group questioned whether the revised system would provide equivalent flood storage and protection.
Monitoring by the Yeovil Community Rivers Trust found rainfall near the site was approximately 37% higher than the developer’s models had accounted for. The findings prompted calls to consider the combined effect of other developments sending water into the same drainage network.
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.
Why the revised design was 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. He also said mechanical pumps for an artificial wetland would have a greater carbon footprint than passive SUDS.
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 how the revised drainage system performs as construction progresses and more water enters the shared catchment.