Plans for up to 160 homes at Higher Brooks in Street are heading to Somerset Council's planning committee on Tuesday, 6 October, with officers recommending approval despite objections from the parish council and residents.

The outline application, submitted by the JD Clark 1984 Trust, covers land around Brooks Farm. Councillors will consider the principle of building homes on the site and the proposed access arrangements. The layout, appearance, scale and landscaping would be decided later if outline permission is granted.

Street Parish Council has objected over traffic, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times. It has also raised concerns about narrow pavements for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, the loss of native trees, flood risk and whether the proposed play areas would be enclosed.

The divisional councillor has separately raised concerns about traffic on the single-track sections of Higher Brooks and its junction with Slugg Hill and the B3151. They said Brooks Road already carries heavy traffic past two schools and questioned how the development would fit with possible future housing on neighbouring land.

The officer's report also records 37 letters of objection from members of the public. Residents raised issues including school-run congestion, Higher Brooks becoming a rat run, pressure on GP surgeries and school places, flooding, loss of open fields, wildlife and the protection of existing footpaths.

The applicant proposes two vehicle entrances from Brooks Road and a new route for Higher Brooks through the site. The existing stretch of Higher Brooks where it joins Brooks Road would be closed to through traffic, while remaining available to pedestrians and cyclists and retaining access to properties.

Somerset Council's highways team initially requested changes and more information, including improvements for pedestrians near the schools. After revised plans were submitted, it said it had no objection, subject to conditions and measures being secured through a legal agreement.

The scheme would be required to provide 30% affordable housing. If all 160 homes are built, that would mean 48 affordable homes. The council's housing officer has suggested a mix of 38 homes for social rent and 10 for shared ownership, although the final mix and layout have not been settled at this outline stage.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

An illustrative plan shows play areas, allotments, a community orchard and open space, with a walking link towards Ivythorn Hill. Those details are not being approved at this meeting.

Planning officers say the site is allocated for housing and that the former Mendip area does not currently have a five-year supply of land for new homes. They recommend approval subject to conditions and a legal agreement covering affordable housing, contributions to education and healthcare, road and pedestrian improvements, and open space. Councillors have yet to make their decision.

The meeting starts at 2 pm on Tuesday, 6 October, at the council offices on Cannards Grave Road in Shepton Mallet. Anyone wishing to speak must contact Democratic Services on 01823 357628 or at [email protected] by 5 pm on Thursday, 1 October. Members of the public can also request a link to attend virtually.

More local stories

• Wells vets fire up ovens for Macmillan coffee morning
• Shepton driver warned over anti-social driving
• Glastonbury River Brue Charter: what you need to know

Subscribe to the free Glastonbury Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Glastonbury stories straight to your inbox.