WORK on 80 new homes in a small Somerset village can begin in a matter of months after revised plans were approved.

Hallam Land Management secured permission on appeal in February 2023 to build 80 new homes and a takeaway on Dene Road in Cotford St. Luke, around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Taunton.

Lovell Homes – which has recently delivered 36 new homes at the Cherry Pie Grove site in Sparkford, near the A303 – acquired the site in February 2024 and submitted revised proposals for the same number of homes in January 2025.

Somerset Council’s planning committee west unanimously backed these revised designs on Tuesday (April 15), meaning that construction will be able to get under way before Christmas.

The development will be built on the northern side of Dene Road, with the takeaway outlet being located close to the main road – though this will be delivered by a separate application.

The new homes will range from two to four bedrooms in size, with 20 being offered at affordable rates, in line with the council’s policy for any new development of ten homes or more within the former Taunton Deane area.

Each of the homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps, with the entire development being gas-free.

In line with new Defra legislation, the site will have to deliver a ten per cent biodiversity net gain (BNG) compared to leaving the site in its current state, with improvements being made within the location to encourage plants and wildlife.

The commercial element of the site (identified within the outline plans as a takeaway) is the subject of a separate planning application, which is currently out for public consultation.

A spokesman for Lighthouse Development Consulting (representing Lovell Homes) stated in January: “This is a development of high quality that will make an important and valued contribution to Cotford St. Luke as a sustainable settlement.

“The development will provide effective links to the existing settlement and delivers on the place-making objectives of the Taunton Deane Core Strategy.

“This is a development that is sensitive to its surroundings It provides much-needed housing, including affordable housing, in a thoughtfully considered design.”

Councillor Gwilym Wren (who represents the neighbouring Upper Tone division) said approving the plans was “very straightforward” when the committee met in Taunton on Tuesday afternoon (April 15).

He continued: “We all know that farmland floods or has run-off from time to time.

“I just want assurance that the attenuation system has been properly designed and that we’re perfectly happy about that – clearly that’s a concern for local residents.”

Councillor Simon Coles (who chaired the meeting) added: “The local lead flood authority is satisfied that the attenuation pond [within the site] is sufficient for a one in 100 years flood event, plus a 45 per cent uplift because of climate change.

“That is sufficient for this application to proceed. Our technical experts are content with the plans that they have had submitted.”

The committee voted unanimously to approve the revised plans after around half an hour’s debate.