Plans for a new Yeovil housing estate have been changed to remove a proposed constructed wetland, prompting concern from communities downstream about flooding, biodiversity and the long-term effect on the 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 subsequently sold to Bloor Homes South West, which has submitted detailed plans for the first 109 homes in a development now known as Oakmere Rise.
What is changing at Oakmere Rise?
The original outline permission included a constructed treatment wetland at 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 now approved a different drainage design. The wetlands site will instead contain a sustainable urban drainage system, or SUDS, incorporating attenuation ponds and reed-beds. The land originally earmarked for wetlands is due to become public open space.
The change has led to questions from local groups representing Ashington, Chilton Cantelo and Mudford. The 3 Villages Flood Group says the original planning inspector viewed the cascading wetlands as having a wider flood-mitigation purpose, rather than being used solely for phosphate control.
“He questioned the evidence supporting the new drainage system’s equivalence in flood storage and protection.”
That concern comes alongside monitoring by the Yeovil Community Rivers Trust, which found rainfall near the site was approximately 37% higher than the developer’s models had accounted for. The trust’s findings have increased calls to consider the combined effect of further developments sending water into the same drainage network.
Arguments over flood risk and the environment
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 the loss of the wetlands would reduce the area’s landscape character, environmental benefits and biodiversity.
Dawn Woodward, a local resident and FOMAG member, said removing the wetlands undermined wider flood-risk management for the River Yeo catchment. The 3 Villages Flood Group also raised concerns about 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 pointed to 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 the next 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.
The development remains under close scrutiny from nearby communities, particularly over how the revised drainage system will perform as construction progresses and more water enters the shared catchment.
