More than 3,600 new homes have been approved in Somerset over the last 12 months – and that's just over the 20 biggest sites.

Somerset has struggled for numerous years to meet government housing targets, with delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic being compounded by viability issues and the ongoing phosphates crisis.

Despite these roadblocks, and in the face of often considerable public opposition, Somerset Council has managed to approved numerous new housing developments over the last year, which will begin to provide homes for families in the coming months and years.

So the council warms up for the first round of public consultation on its new Local Plan, now is the perfect juncture to look back at 20 of the biggest developments which have been given the green light since January 1.

It should be stressed that this is by no means an exhaustive list (we'd be here all day) and does not include screening requests (i.e. initial proposals which still require full planning permission, such as the planned Hinkley Point C campus near Bridgwater).

With this in mind, let's take a whistle-stop tour around the county's biggest building sites:

1. A371 Cannard's Grave Road, Shepton Mallet (620 homes, commercial space, primary school and care home)

C. G. Fry and Sons, in conjunction with the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, applied back in July 2018 for outline permission to build this "once-in-a-generation" development.

What followed was years of negotiations and delays brought on by the phosphates crisis, with the site's impact on the River Sheppey catchment requiring significant mitigation.

The plans – which also include a primary school, a care home and commercial space – came before the council's planning committee east (which handles major applications within the former Mendip area) in early-September.

Despite concerns about parking provision and the need for a community centre, the committee voted unanimously to back the proposals after more than two hours' debate.

2. Station Fields, A39 Priest Street, Williton (350 homes, commercial space and allotments)

The Wyndham Estate secured outline planning permission in November 2021 to deliver up to 350 new homes on the A39 Priest Street at the western edge of Williton, along with commercial space, leisure facilities and public open space.

The legal agreements between the landowner and the council were not signed until late-February 2024, with the Tamworth-based Lovell Homes subsequently acquiring the development site and submitting revised plans in July 2024.

The council's planning committee west (which handles major applications in the former Somerset West and Taunton area) approved the revised plans in May – despite concerns that it will worsen local traffic and flooding issues and does not go far enough in its use of renewable energy.

Construction on the new homes is currently under way – with separate plans being considered for two new sections of the Steam Coast Trail, which must be delivered as part of the original legal agreement.

3. Exeter Road, Rockwell Green (315 homes, convenience store and allotments)

The first appearance of the Planning Inspectorate on our list concerns the small village of Rockwell Green, near Wellington.

Gladman Developments put forward outline plans in October 2023 for 315 new homes and a convenience store on Exeter Road, opposed the Monument View housing estate.

After the council failed to come to a decision after more than a year, the Congleton-based developer lodged an appeal, with a public inquiry being held in Taunton in mid-March.

In an extraordinary turn of events, the council confirmed on the day of the inquiry that it would not be defending the appeal – leaving mayor of Wellington Janet Lloyd to quip that it had "curled up and died" in the face of the legal challenge, and allowing the inspector to grant permission soon after.

4. Nerrols Farm, Lyngford Lane, Taunton (292 homes)

David Wilson Homes secured outline planning consent for the Nerrols Farm development back in 2010, intending to deliver around 900 homes and a new primary school between Lyngford Lane and the Maidenbrook Country Park in northern Taunton.

The developer put forward detailed proposals for phase three of the development, comprising 292 homes, back in July 2019, with a decision being repeatedly delayed in light of the ongoing phosphates crisis.

The council's planning committee west voted in February to delay a decision to allow more information on the access to the site to come forward, following protests by local residents and the intervention of local MP Gideon Amos.

Two months later, the same committee narrowly voted that the new homes could go ahead without a road link to the existing two phases – with councillors arguing they would not have sufficient legal grounds on which to win any appeal by the developer.

5. B3151 Somerton Road, Street (280 homes)

The Ninesquare Trust secured outline planning permission from Mendip District Council in January 2023 to build up to 280 homes on land west of the B3151 Somerton Road in Street, a stone's throw from the prestigious Millfield School.

The site was subsequently sold to Curo Enterprise Ltd., which put forward revised proposals for the same number of homes in December 2023.

Somerset Council's planning committee east gave the plans the green light in early-March.

The site is one of four in Street allocated for housing within the Mendip Local Plan Part II, which identified additional sites to meet the former district's housing needs up to 2029.

6. A30 Crewkerne Road, Chard (230 homes)

Gladman Developments launched a consultation in September 2022 over plans to deliver new homes on the northern side of the A30 Crewkerne Road, at the eastern entrance to the town.

Outline plans were officially submitted by the Congleton-based developer in July 2023 – plans which prompted outcry from local residents over traffic levels and existing pressure on public services.

The council's planning committee south (which handles major applications within the former South Somerset area) unanimously backed the outline proposals in late-January.

The development will include a new section of Chard's long-awaited eastern relief road (ERR) – though its design won't be settled until a later stage.

7. Hainbury Farm, B3151 Somerton Road, Ilchester (200 homes, commercial space, health centre, car park and nature reserve)

The Young family have farmed in the area around Ilchester for more than 100 years, based out of Hainbury Farm at the northern edge of the village.

The village has seen significant housing growth in recent years, with Linden Homes recently delivering the Hainbury Meadows development which has pushed the built-up boundary of the village further north.

The family teased plans for 200 new homes north of Hainbury Meadows in May 2023, along with commercial space, a community hub, car parking and a large nature reserve reaching all the way to the A303.

The council's planning committee south gave its backing to the proposals in late-January, despite opposition from the parish council and local residents.

8. Jurston Fields, A38 West Buckland Road, Wellington (190 homes)

This decision brought the phosphates crisis into sharp focus – and could have enormous implications for unlocking other sites across Somerset.

C. G. Fry was granted outline permission in December 2015 to construct the Jurston Fields development north of the A38 West Buckland Road in Wellington, originally set to comprise 650 homes, employment units, a primary school and a community wood (though this may soon be increased).

Plans for phase three (comprising 190 homes) were approved by Somerset West and Taunton Council in June 2020, but the delivery was delayed by the Dutch N court ruling and a resulting legal battle which went all the way to the Supreme Court.

Judges finally ruled in October that C. G. Fry did not have to provide any additional phosphate mitigation due to the timing of its application – allowing construction to move forward on the new homes.

9. Watercombe Lane, Yeovil (185 homes)

The Abbey Manor Group has been slowly bringing forward the Bunford Park commercial site (which received outline approval in March 2011), delivering hundreds of new jobs off the A3088 between the Bunford Lane roundabout and the Lysander Road crossroads.

Its sister company Abbey Manor Developments put forward two separate applications to deliver a combined total of 185 homes on adjoining sites to the south of the business park, with access being off Watercombe Lane.

The council's planning committee south gave its blessing to both applications in late-April, meaning construction work could get under way within the next 12 months.

The delivery of these new homes (accessed via Watercombe Lane) is expected to help unlock further development at the Bunford Park site, including a new David Lloyd leisure complex which was approved in late-August.

10. Brookfield Nurseries, Ruishton Road, Ruishton (150 homes)

Taylor Wimpey submitted outline plans in October 2023 for up to 150 new homes on the Brookfield Farm Shop and Nursery site on Ruishton Lane in Ruishton, north of the Gateway park and ride site on the eastern edge of Taunton.

Access to the new development (dubbed 'Brookfield Nurseries') would be from Ruishton Lane, with walking and cycle routes being provided throughout the site and potentially linking up with both the village and the recently-upgraded junction with the A358.

The council refused the plans outright in late-July 2024, arguing the plans would put pedestrians at risk and leave the new residents isolated from key services – prompting the developer to lodge an appeal.

Following a public inquiry in mid-January, the Planning Inspectorate ruled in the developer's favour – with more detailed proposals for the new homes expected to come forward by mid-2026.

11. Maple Grove, Lang Road, Crewkerne (145 homes)

James Tizzard of Land Value Alliances LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in July 2020 to build up to 150 homes on land between Kithill and the railway line at the southern edge of Crewkerne.

Tilia Homes Ltd., to whom the land was sold, put forward revised plans for the development in June 2023, reducing the number of homes down to 145.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) threw out this proposal as well, citing "an unacceptable level of overlooking" and ongoing concerns on flooding – a decision which the developer subsequently appealed in January 2025.

The Planning Inspectorate reversed the council's decision in late-November, meaning that construction of the new homes could finally begin by the summer of 2026.

12. B3153 High Street, Keinton Mandeville (100 homes, orchard and allotments)

Keinton Mandeville LVA LLP put forward outline plans in July 2022 for 120 new houses south of the B3153 High Street in Keinton Mandeville, located between Somerton and the busy A37 to Yeovil and Shepton Mallet.

These plans – revised down to 100 homes following consultation with the council's planning officers – attracted more than 550 objections from local residents, citing traffic levels, over-development and pressure on the village's primary school.

Despite this, the council's planning committee south narrowly voted to approve the plans in mid-June, arguing it could not successfully defend any appeal by the developer.

There could, however, be a further twist in the tale, with local campaign group SHOCK (Stop Housing Obliterating the Character of Keinton) raising £70,000 towards a judicial review.

13. B3139 Elm Close, Wells (100 homes and cemetery extension)

Gladman Developments applied in June 2019 to construct new homes south of the B3139 Elm Close in Wells, close to the city's existing cemetery on the A371 Portway.

Mendip District Council's planning board originally voted to grant permission in January 2020, with the proposals being re-approved by Somerset Council's planning committee east in December 2023 to account for additional phosphate mitigation.

David Wilson Homes subsequently purchased the site, and put forward revised proposals in October 2024 for the same number of homes and an extension to the cemetery.

Somerset Council gives these plans the green light in late-October, meaning construction could begin some time in the new year.

14. Hartnells Farm, A3259 Monkton Heathfield Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton (90 homes)

This application was the first of our selection to be approved in 2025, being signed off by planning officers in late-January.

The Hartnells Farm estate will eventually comprise a total of 320 homes north of the A3259 Monkton Heathfield Road, and forms part of phase one of the wider Monkton Heathfield urban extension (with a decision on phase two expected in the spring of 2026).

Plans for these final 90 homes were jointly submitted by Persimmon Homes South West and its sister company Charles Church submitted in September 2023 – though a decision was delayed due to the ongoing phosphates crisis.

Following approval, Charles Church has begun construction on its section of the site, renaming the estate as 'Castle Grove.

15. Dene Road, Cotford St. Luke (80 homes)

The small village of Cotford St. Luke, to the north-west of Taunton, has seen two significant new housing estates approved within the last 12 months.

Hallam Land Management secured permission on appeal in February 2023 to build 80 new homes and a takeaway on Dene Road.

This site was sold off to Lovell Homes in February 2024, with the London-based developer securing revised permission for what has been christened The Oaks estate in April 2025.

Construction is expected to move significantly forward in the new year, with interested parties being encouraged to register on Lovell Homes' official website.

16. Dene Road, Cotford St. Luke (80 homes and allotments)

The second site in Cotford St. Luke lies immediately adjacent to The Oaks development – and, if approved, will be accessed directly through it.

Hallam Land Management applied in December 2024 for permission to deliver a further 80 homes north of the Lovell Homes site, which would also include new allotments for the village.

The site at the northern edge of the village, bordered by Tithill Lane to the north and Burge Farm Lane to the west.

The council gave these plans its broad support in late-August, with the proviso that solar panels and other forms of renewable energy can be included within the final construction.

17. Wookey Hole Road, Wells (78 homes)

Gladman Developments was refused outline permission in September 2020 to build up to 90 homes on Wookey Hole Road on Wells, on the edge of the Mendip Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty, or AONB).

The Congleton-based developed put forward amended plans in late-July 2024, reducing the number of homes down to 78 and providing additional public open space in the northern part of the site.

Somerset Council refused the plans for a second time in November 2024, stating they would "erode the gap" between Wells and the neighbouring villages – prompting the developer to lodge an appeal.

Following a public inquiry in late-August, the Planning Inspectorate ruled in the developer's favour – with more detailed proposals expected to come forward for further public consultation in the new year.

18. Anchor Road, Coleford (75 homes)

The small village of Coleford lies roughly halfway between Frome, Midsomer Norton and Shepton Mallet.

Rainier Developments Ltd. put forward outline proposals in late-February 2024 for a further 75 homes on Anchor Road – proposals which were refused by Somerset Council in late-November 2024.

The developer lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in February, culminating in a public inquiry held in Shepton Mallet in mid-June – an inquiry where the council did not defend the appeal or call any witnesses.

Planning inspector Christopher Baxter confirmed in late-July that the development will go ahead – though local councillor Philip Ham raised concerns in late-September both it and a neighbouring site could run into issues with the lack of lack sewer capacity.

19. The Crispin Centre, 85 High Street, Street (56 homes)

The penultimate entry on our list – but not the last to involve the Planning Inspectorate – concerns the Crispin Centre shopping centre in the middle of Street.

Churchill Retirement Living put forward plans in January 2024 to demolish the shopping centre and build a retirement complex in its place, with 45 extra care apartments and 11 'retirement cottages'.

The council's planning committee east voted against the proposals in July 2024, citing a lack of parking, an unattractive design and possible damage to local heritage assets.

But this decision was overturned in late-May 2025 following a public inquiry – with Aberdare Estates Ltd, the site's current owners, applying in November for permission to demolish the entrance canopy of the shopping centre, allowing the main construction to begin by mid-2026.

20. Coalpit Lane, Stoke St. Michael (45 homes)

The most recently approved development on our list takes us to the small village of Stoke St. Michael, between Radstock and Shepton Mallet.

Stoke St Michael LVA ALLP secured permission on appeal in January 2023 to build 47 homes to the east of Coalpit Lane, near the disused Sammy's Quarry and less than a mile from the still-active Moons Hill Quarry.

Curo Finance Ltd. (which is based in Bath) and Clayewater Homes (which is based in Barnstaple) put forward revised plans for the development in August 2024, revising the number of homes down to 45.

Following a robust debate about design and traffic levels, the council's planning committee east voted in early-December to back the proposals by a margin of ten votes to one, with one abstention.