NEARLY 40 homes could be built on a farm shop on the main road between Taunton and Bridgwater after an appeal was lodged.

Beechcroft Land Ltd applied in February to build 39 homes on the site of the Carrotts Farm shop, located off the A38 Bridgwater Road in North Petherton near Bridgwater.

Sedgemoor District Council turned down the plans in May, arguing the land was outside the town boundary and would negatively impact nearby listed buildings.

The developer has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, meaning the decision could be overturned early next year.

The farm shop has been in business for 36 years, with owner Tony Carrott reporting in February that he was planning to retire, and the shop would close once planning permission was granted for this development.

If approved, the new homes will back onto the existing cemetery to the west, with the existing access onto the A38 being maintained.

The site lies at the north-eastern end of North Petherton, a short distance from junction 24 of the M5 motorway.

The council refused the outline plans on May 5 by delegated authority – meaning the decision was taken by its planning officers rather than by councillors during open committee.

Planning officer Liam Evans laid out the following four reasons why the plans were not acceptable:

Outside the settlement boundary: every town and village in Sedgemoor has a defined boundary within the council’s Local Plan, to preserve the character of each local area and prevent settlements from merging due to urban sprawl. Mr Evans said the farm shop site was “not an identified housing allocation” for North Petherton” and the need for homes there had “not been demonstrated”

Building in a “green wedge”: the Local Plan sets aside a number of “green wedges” which are designed to preserve a settlement boundary and provide environmental benefits. Mr Evans said building homes on the farm shop site would “reduce the physical and visual gap” between North Petherton and Bridgwater by removing such a wedge

Impact on listed buildings: the farm shop site lies close to several grade two listed buildings, including Heathfield Farmhouse, 2 Old Road and the Combined Non-Conformist and Anglican Mortuary Chapel. Mr Evans said building homes would “significantly harm” these assets, depriving the buildings of the open space which current surrounds them

Archaeological concerns: before any new homes can be built, a full archaeological survey of a site must be carried out to ensure nothing of historical value is lost forever. Mr Liam said the developer had provided “insufficient information” on the potential archaeological value of the site

North Petherton has seen substantial housing growth over the last few years, with several major developments at the southern end of the town’s being approved.

Persimmon Severn Valley was granted permission to build 72 homes on the A38 Taunton Road, not far from the town’s rugby club, in October 2018.

Plans for a further 130 homes on the same stretch of road were approved in April 2019, with Barratt Homes due to begin construction on what has been dubbed the ‘Royal View’ site in early-2021.

Notice of the farm shop appeal was published ahead of a meeting of the council’s development committee on Tuesday (December 8).

A spokesman for Beechcroft Land Ltd said: “North Petherton is considered to be sustainable in respect of its provision of local services. It offers a number of shops and community facilities as well as a primary school.

“No further local service or community facility development is planned at the site; however, the proposals will seek to enhance existing links between the site and these facilities, as well as proposing additional footpath links to the town and wider footpath network.

“The development site has good access to public transport with a bus stop within 250 metres of the whole site.

“A post office, medical centre, pubs and restaurants, St. Mary’s church, sports facilities and The Walnut Tree Hotel are all within close walking distance.”

Due to ongoing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, a decision on the Oak Tree Way site is likely to be taken by written representations rather than a formal public inquiry.

The Planning Inspectorate is expected to publish its ruling in early-2021.