Somerset Council chases £188k from housing development

By Laura Linham 28th May 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Somerset Council has taken legal action over unpaid housing contributions linked to a development later taken on by a Glastonbury-based builder.

The authority says £188,419.83 remains outstanding in relation to the Lake View Quarry estate on Chistles Lane in Keinton Mandeville, near Somerton.

The site was first granted outline planning permission by South Somerset District Council in July 2015.

Lakeview Stone Supplies secured permission for 42 homes and commercial space near Keinton Mandeville Primary School.

The site was later sold to Galion Homes, a Glastonbury-based developer, which secured detailed planning permission in January 2017.

Work began the following year.

Somerset Council says legal action has been taken and payments are now being made through an agreed instalment plan.

The money is part of £317,774.50 in unpaid developer contributions linked to five housing developments across Somerset.

The figures were released through a Freedom of Information request by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council said the Keinton Mandeville money relates to "contributions towards community facilities — including a community hall, changing rooms, children's play area and wider community infrastructure".

A council spokesperson said: "Legal action has been taken and payments are now being made through an agreed instalment plan."

Galion Homes has been approached for comment.

The unpaid money comes from Section 106 agreements.

These are legal agreements between developers and councils, usually attached to planning permissions.

They are used to make sure new housing developments help fund local infrastructure and services.

That can include affordable housing, community facilities, public open space, children's play areas, changing rooms, sports pitches, primary school places and wider community infrastructure.

The money is often due only once a development reaches a set stage.

Payments can be delayed when sites change hands, when there are disputes over when money is due, or when legal action is needed to secure payment.

The Keinton Mandeville sum is by far the largest amount on Somerset Council's list.

It accounts for nearly 60 per cent of all the unpaid money identified.

The other outstanding sums are £54,531.84 for 41 Esplanade in Burnham-on-Sea, £41,130 for land north of Thorne Lane in Yeovil, £29,768.09 for Cross Farm in Wedmore and £3,929.74 for Morgan House in Bridgwater.

At 41 Esplanade in Burnham-on-Sea, the council says the £54,531.84 is linked to affordable housing.

Domo Developments Ltd secured planning permission in October 2023 to convert the former guesthouse into 13 flats.

Somerset Council said: "The site has recently changed ownership and the contribution is being monitored as part of that transition."

In Yeovil, the unpaid £41,130 relates to land north of Thorne Lane.

The scheme, by Wyatt Homes, includes 54 homes, sports pitches and play facilities.

It was approved in March 2023 as part of the Brimsmore key site.

Somerset Council said: "This relates to an older outline permission and we are currently reviewing the available records to confirm the position. Further detail will be provided once this work is complete."

In Wedmore, £29,768.09 is owed by the Acorn Property Group for eight homes at Cross Farm, off Cross Farm Green.

The development was approved in June 2022.

The council said the money is for affordable housing.

A spokesperson said: "This remains under monitoring as there is an ongoing discussion over the trigger point for payment."

The smallest unpaid sum is linked to Morgan House in Mount Street, Bridgwater.

The building was converted into 33 flats by Axeus Group Ltd after planning permission was granted in January 2022.

Somerset Council said the money was for improvements to nearby public open space.

A spokesperson said: "The principal amount has been paid, with only late payment interest outstanding."

Somerset Council said developer contributions can remain unpaid for a number of reasons.

A spokesperson said: "In general, contributions can remain outstanding for a number of reasons, including the timing of agreed payment triggers linked to development progress, changes in site ownership, or where legal processes are required to resolve disputes or secure payment."

Original reporting: Daniel Mumby/LDRS