Plans for 136 for new homes refused near 'unstable' Somerset cliffs

Plans to build more than 100 new homes near “unstable” Somerset cliffs have been refused for a second time.

The Cleeve Hill Development Group has been attempting to secure permission to build 136 homes on the B3191 Cleeve Hill on the western edge of Watchet, which would include the realignment of the coast road inland.

After planning permission was initially refused in July 2020, the developer put forward revised proposals in April 2021, changing the planned route for the realigned road to take it further away from the crumbling cliffs.

But Somerset West and Taunton Council’s planning committee voted on Thursday afternoon (January 5) to refuse permission for a second time – much to the joy of local residents.

Alison Mills was among the residents who called for the development to be thrown out, stating that it did not provide enough affordable homes to justify the risk associated with the site.

In a statement read out on her behalf, she said: “This situation hasn’t been addressed – it now seems to have been made worse.

“It will bring no advantage to local people and constitutes an egregious exploitation of our community. It will be unsustainable in terms of our local infrastructure and will do nothing to relieve the housing problems facing the people of Watchet.

“There is already provision for more than 1,000 new houses in Watchet, and this will almost double the town’s current population. Watchet is becoming seriously overdeveloped.”

Construction is currently proceeding on 250 new homes on the Liddymore Farm site at the southern edge of Watchet, with a decision expected shortly on plans for a further 350 houses on the former Wansborough paper mill site on the B3191 Brendon Road.

Michael Barber said that building on the Cleeve Hill site could add to localised flooding and further undermine the stability of the surrounding land.

He said: “The area at the bottom of Cleeve Hill is in a flood zone, and several properties in the town have been flooded in the recent past. The Star Inn has only recently re-opened following flood damage.

“Without adequate drainage provision, there would be an increase in flood risk to many properties. It would also increase the threat to the stability of the cliffs, with knock-on threats to the existing routes and the proposed realignment of the B3191.”

The land around Cleeve Hill has been subject to considerable coastal erosion in the last few decades, leading to Somerset County Council commissioning a report into possible ways to protect vulnerable properties in Blue Anchor and Watchet.

A £3.8m scheme to protect the Blue Anchor stretch of the B3191, along with the Anchor’s Drop pub and neighbouring properties, will get under way in the spring.

Without the Cleeve Hill scheme going ahead, the road would have to be realigned entirely through taxpayers’ money – with a report in 2020 estimating that it could cost up to £28m.

Sam Westmacott added: “Our local surveys revealed that approximately 2,500 cars and 180 vans use Cleeve Hill daily. Most days, there are five traffic jams of between five and 20 minutes at Saxon Ridge, where the new road will join – traffic stoppages occur daily.

“The proposed pedestrian access across the fields from the development is so steep that some of the councillors who came on the site visit couldn’t climb it. The only way will be to watch up that narrow, dangerous, congested road.”

Councillor Roger Habgood said the application “didn’t stack up on its own merits”, arguing the various elements put forward by the developer “didn’t compliment each other”.

He said: “I see this proposal and I think: ‘this cannot have been thought through properly’. I’ve sat through many a planning application in my time and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like this.

“I run along the Mineral Line public footpath regularly, as I did this morning – there was traffic queuing up and down Cleeve Hill, and people walking up the road because they had no choice. This is not sustainable in any way.”

Councillor Loretta Whetlor – whose Watchet and Williton ward includes the site – added: “The B3191 now seems to be the escape route from the A39, and I’m quite happy that this development should not happen.

“I don’t think I’d want to buy a house with a main road going right through the middle of an estate. It would be just absolutely stupid, when you’ve got children, dogs and cats nearby.”

After more than 90 minutes’ debate, the committee voted unanimously to refuse the plans – a decision which was warmly welcomed by the Watchet Conservation Society.

A spokesman said: “We have dipped deeply into our funds to help fight this potential, ill-advised development – and thanks to those who continue to support us, we were able to find much-needed finance to support initiatives.

“This victory is thanks not to just a few individuals but to a remarkable and special community who have come together to ensure that this development will not adversely impact on our town.”

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