Wallmead Farm, Beckington

Land South of Bath Road, Beckington

Public Consultation November 2024

Project Team

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.

Our friendly team of experienced professionals work closely with our partners, providing bespoke service tailored to a project’s specific needs. We’re responsive, straightforward, and always focused on delivering outstanding value and service. Our experience in the land promotion and house building industry, coupled with our network of highly skilled professionals, ensures that we look beyond the obvious, identifying valuable opportunities and bringing them to fruition.

Thank you for visiting our website to learn more about our proposed development at Land off Bath Road, Beckington. We value your feedback on this proposal, and your input will play a crucial role in shaping our planning applications and designing the scheme. We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

The Vision

This website serves as a resource for residents, businesses, and organisations to learn about our proposals and our intention to submit an outline planning application to Somerset Council.

M7 planning is preparing to submit an outline planning application for a new, high-quality housing development in a prime, sustainable location. The proposal includes up to 35 new residential dwellings, with 30% designated as affordable housing.

We carefully select locations where there is a demonstrated need for housing, and we are committed to using sustainable construction methods to minimise environmental impact. We focus on delivering homes for those in greatest need—future generations of doctors, nurses, key workers, young families, and aspiring innovators who all deserve a place to call home.

This country is facing unprecedented housing crisis, which has been succinctly expressed by Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP (SoS HCLG and Deputy PM):

“We are in the middle of the most acute housing crisis in living memory. Home ownership is out of reach for too many; the shortage of houses drives high rents; and too many are left without access to a safe and secure home.”

As active contributors to the housing development community, we understand the growing gap between house prices and affordability. Our proposal addresses this challenge by carefully considering the scale, location, and local amenities available, aiming to provide new housing opportunities for future generations in a community you cherish.

We invite you to share your feedback through the short questionnaire at the bottom of this page. Your comments will be thoughtfully considered as we finalise our application.

The Application Site

The site is located on the northern edge of the village of Beckington. The study area measures approximately 2.38 hectares (5.88 acres) of agricultural land under the ownership of people local to the area.

Land south of Bath Road is a significant opportunity, within an exceptional location, for a sustainable new housing scheme.

A number of complimentary factors demonstrate the opportunities of why housing should be allowed here:

Retention and enhancement of existing boundary hedgerows and trees of amenity value.
Provision of newly accessible public open space.
Well connected to the existing settlement and complimentary to future prosperity.
Unconstrained site, avoiding development in more sensitive locations in Beckington.
A scale of development which can lead to a meaningful provision of much needed housing (including 30% affordable housing) contributing towards the achievement of housing targets for the area.
The site lies within the National Character Area 117 Avon Vales. This area extends from Frome in the south to Chippenham to the north and therefore covers a very extensive landscape area.
An established transport network serving the immediate and wider area, include a regular bus service, where there are bus stops located on Bath Road and Frome Road and are within walking distance of the development area.
Supporting the Local Economy in the short and long term and the viability of existing facilities.

Key Features

Our vision is to develop a sustainable and thoughtfully integrated living environment that complements the existing community. The proposed site layout has been planned with a clear street hierarchy that includes:

Delivery of up to 35 new homes with 30% allocated as affordable housing to ensure a diverse community.
A varied mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom family homes including catering for first time buyers and the elderly.
Public open spaces and biodiversity enhancements, creating attractive and ecologically rich environments.
A commitment to building well-designed spaces, beautiful homes, and gardens, prioritising quality and aesthetics.
Sustainable living features, including electric vehicle charging points, photovoltaic (PV) panels, rainwater harvesting, and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) to reduce environmental impact.
A contribution to the diversification of local housing stock, enhancing the future viability and vitality of the Newton Abbot area.

Access & Movement

The proposed development site is located in an accessible and sustainable location with excellent accessibility through various transport options.

Initial access design work has been completed by our consultant Prime Transport Planning. The site will be served by a single priority-controlled junction on Bath Road, which will connect to the existing footway provision on the southern side of Bath Road.

Public Transport:

Bus stops are provided on Bath Road, a short distance to the south-west of the site. The Bath Road bus stops can be reached within 8 minutes on foot, while the Frome Road bus stops, which provides access to additional services, can be reached within 12 minutes on foot.

Rail Access:

The nearest train station to the site is Frome, which can be reached in a circa 23-minute cycle ride from the site.

Road Links:

The site benefits from direct road access via Bath Road, which connects to the A36/A361, providing easy access to Bath, Frome, and the wider Somerset area. This robust road network ensures seamless vehicle connectivity and integrates the site into the broader regional transport network.

Overall, the site’s robust connectivity, including direct road access, supports its development as a well-accessible and sustainable community, enhancing convenience for future residents.

Pedestrian & cycle link to local amenities.

Vehicular access from Mulberry Road

Local Amenities & Facilities

The proposed development site is well-positioned, with convenient access to various local amenities:

A BP petrol filling station and M&S Simply Food supermarket can be reached within the desirable walking distance of 400m for local service trips, while a Starbucks, Beckington Village Hall, Beckington Cricket Club and a Cafe Deli within the acceptable distance of 800m from the site.

The Woolpack Inn Hotel and Public House, The Foresters Public House, Beckington Family Practice GP, Beckington Baptist Church and St George’s Church can be reached within the preferred maximum walking distance of 1200m.

Beckington Church of England First School and Springmead Preparatory School can be reached within the preferred maximum walking distance of 2000m for educational trips.

Community Benefits

In addition to creating up to 35 high-quality new homes, our scheme offers a range of community-focused benefits designed to enhance the local area:

30% affordable housing: We will provide a significant proportion of affordable housing to address local needs and support a diverse community.
Enhanced Connectivity: The development will improve walking connections to the local street network and enhance accessibility to existing public rights of way, making it easier for residents to navigate the area.
Green Public Open Space: Our plan includes new green public spaces, offering recreational areas for residents and promoting a healthy, outdoor lifestyle.
Habitat Preservation: We will retain existing hedgerows and trees, creating a network of natural habitats that support local wildlife.
Transitional Green Spaces: The development features transitional open spaces with clustered tree planting, strengthened hedgerows, and species-rich meadow grasslands, contributing to the area’s natural beauty and ecological diversity.
Sustainable Drainage: Our sustainable drainage systems will include features designed to create wetland habitats, enhance the local environment, and manage surface water effectively.
Community Contributions: Section 106 contributions will be allocated to local improvements, supporting community services and infrastructure enhancements.
Timely Delivery: The development is planned to be deliverable within a short time frame, addressing current housing needs promptly.

Situated on unconstrained land outside high flood-risk areas, this development is positioned in an established, accessible, and sustainable residential location. We are committed to creating a vibrant community that integrates seamlessly with the existing area and supports its growth and vitality.