Land East of Prestleigh Road, Evercreech
Public Consultation
September 2022
Project Team
Octavia Homes is a new entrant to the house building market and is set out to build a reputation for developing innovative quality homes and with a focus on enabling communities to flourish.
We specialise in small to medium scale developments in areas of high housing demand, giving each project distinction and character which is sympathetic to the surrounding architectural landscape.
Our passion for housing drives our ethos of building great homes for the future.
Find out more at www.octaviahomes.co.uk
M7 Planning is a residentially focused land promoter and professional investor in land and property in the South and South West.
Achieving planning permission is at the heart of what we do and we carefully manage each and every aspect of the process, providing a tailored approach for each site we take on. We are passionate about design, place making and optimising asset values and we believe that these things go hand in hand.
Intro & Proposal
M7 Planning, on behalf of Octavia Homes, is planning to submit an outline planning application for a new high-quality housing development, in a highly sustainable location, comprising c.56 dwellings (30% affordable housing) and a convenience store.
We pick our locations carefully, where there is a real need, we build at high density, to minimise our impact on the country’s green spaces and we build sustainably, preserving our Earth for our children and beyond.
We focus on delivering houses to those in greatest need: future generations of doctors, nurses, key workers, young families and the next big thinkers, who want a place to call home.
Why are we submitting a planning application now?
The Mendip area has a significant shortfall in housing delivery when measured against the Local Plan targets. As members of the housing development community we see the consequences of this with rising, unsatisfied demand and a growing disparity between house prices and affordability. Our proposal provides an appropriate response to this for the scale, location and facilities available in Evercreech, with the aim of providing new housing opportunities in the community you love, for you, your children or grandchildren and new residents, strengthening diversity and vitality.
This website provides an opportunity for residents, businesses and organisations to learn about our draft proposals and our intentions to submit an outline application to Mendip District Council soon.
At the bottom of this website page you will find a short questionnaire. Please leave us your thoughts, which will be considered prior to making the application.
The Site
The site measures approximately 2.4 hectares (approx.6 acres) used as private amenity land.
The site fronts Prestleigh Road, with an established residential estate opposite. It is predominately laid to grass with the boundaries being formed by a range of hedges. The garden to the adjacent house sits to the south, with farm land beyond the east and northern boundaries.
The site undulates towards the north west, which aids surface water flows.
Development has taken place to the west of Evercreech in recent years off Kingfisher Road by David Wilson Homes, which is accessed further north along Prestleigh Road.
Mendip District Council is committed through the Mendip District Local Plan 2066-2029 to new development only taking place if it is sustainable. The Council therefore requires that any proposals for development include an assessment of the nutrient, phosphorus impact of the development, which will determine the potential combined nutrient offset required. M7 planning would provide a report understanding the scale of any potential impacts and potential mitigation options, to achieve phosphate neutrality and to not cause potential significant effects.
The Vision
The vision for the scheme is to create a sustainable new living environment, based around a fully integrated new community with new homes that are accessible to everyone.
• 56 new homes with 30% being affordable inline with Mendip District Council requirements.
• New convenience store.
• A housing mix of mainly 2 and 3 bedroom homes, focused on rebalancing the housing stock in the area.
• Accessible, sustainable established residential location.
• A commitment to building carefully designed spaces, beautiful homes and gardens.
• Sustainable living with solar power generation and electric charging points.
• The land is unconstrained land outside of high flood risk area or the Green Belt.
• Helps continue to diversify the local housing stock and the future viability and vitality of Evercreech.
• Deliverable within a short time frame to accommodate existing needs.
Access & Movement
The site is located to the north of Evercreech, with access from Prestleigh Road from the west, which is the main road linking to Shepton Mallet via the A371.
The site is located in an accessible and sustainable location with easy walking routes to local amenities.
Initial highways advice has been completed and we are satisfied that vehicular access can be constructed off of Prestleigh Road.
A separate access to the new convenience store shall be included and located to the north of the site, with pedestrian links connecting the uses.
The closest bus stops to the site are located on Prestleigh Road, at Ashcroft Surgery and the Post Office, within a short walking distance. The number 1 bus, Yeovil to Shepton Mallet service stops at this location throughout the day, as well as the number 519 providing a service to and from Street and Evercreech.
The nearest railway stations to Evercreech are Castle Cary and Bruton, which are 4 miles away. The Castle Cary station is on the Reading to Taunton line, whereas the Bruton Station is on the Bristol to Weymouth line.
1. The proposed vehicular and pedestrian access for the residential housing will be from Prestleigh Road. Further north along Prestleigh Road, a vehicular and pedestrian access will be provided for a convenience store.
2. A street pattern has been identified to provide good connectivity and efficient residential blocks.
3. A pedestrian link around the public open space to connect the residential parcel with the convenience store.
4. Potential footpath link through to Evercreech Primary School.
Amenities
Evercreech C of E Primary School is located within approximately 500m walking distance to the south of the site and Whitcheat Secondary school is approximately 3.2 miles away in Shepton Mallet.
The nearest convenience store to the site is located just off the Prestleigh Road into Victoria Lane junction, which is a short, level walk from the proposed scheme. More shops and a supermarket are also located in Shepton Mallet, 3.5 miles from the site. There are also additional facilities including a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, a local pub and a village hall within walking distance.
Community Benefits
- Much needed high-quality homes.
- 30% affordable housing to meet identified needs.
- New local convenience store.
- Walking connections to the local street network and improving the accessibility of existing public rights of way
- Green public open space.
- Retained hedgerows and trees creating a network of habitats.
- Transitional open space with proposed clustered tree planting, hedgerow strengthening and species rich meadow grasslands.
- Sustainable drainage attenuation features designed to create wetland habitats.
- Section 106 contributions towards local improvements to services.
