Somerset plans for new business units near the A303 have been delayed

Anthony Canvin applied in June 2022 to build up to 34 light industrial units on the A359 High Street in Sparkford, intended as “starter units” and intended to provide a base for small businesses in the area.

After more than two years of delays, the plans were submitted to Somerset Council’s planning committee south in Yeovil for a decision on Tuesday afternoon (September 24).

However, it quickly became apparent that a decision could not be made as the planning officer responsible for the application had recently left the council due to its ongoing transformation programme.

Planning officer Steph Gold told the committee: “It turns out there are some pretty fundamental problems with the committee report – which was written by David Kenyon, who no longer works for the council.

“There are some consultation responses that are wrong. On this basis, I do not believe that the committee members have the correct information to make a decision.

“I propose that we solve this problem [from the agenda] so that I can revise the report again and bring it back to your November meeting.”

The new commercial units will be arranged in eight blocks on a greenfield site between the former Haynes publishing site to the north and the site of a planned development with 45 apartments and a 60-bed care home.

These plans will see the creation of a new access road off the A359, providing new businesses with a direct connection to the A303 – with national highway dualization work on the section between Sparkford and Ilchester expected to be completed by spring 2025.

Councilor Henry Hobhouse (whose Castle Cary ward includes Sparkford) criticized the council’s lack of planning resources and called for urgent action to prevent further flooding in the village.

Sparkford and its neighboring villages were severely affected by flooding in May 2023, with 177 properties affected by internal flooding after the area recorded 130mm of rainfall in just 90 minutes.

Mr Hobhouse said: “Behind me are four members of Sparkford Parish Council who have come today to highlight the issues at this committee meeting.

“I would also like to highlight a report on flooding and sewage issues in Sparkford. Their flood commissioner said he didn’t have the resources to do all the research before it went to this committee.

“I would ask you to ensure that the flooding situation in Sparkford is properly investigated as we have fundamental problems with the pipes that run under the railway from the top of the village to the bottom – and these pipes cannot be replaced.

“We have a major wastewater problem with this application. There is an issue of raw sewage on Church Road in Sparkford.

“My information is that these units will not be connected to the sewerage network for six years and the cost is between £2m and £3m.”

A citizen – who did not give his name – then shouted: “This has been going on for two years. How long does it take you to pull yourself together?”

Planning officer Dawn de Vries responded: “We have experienced some staff turnover, as people know.

“For this reason, there are many important applications that face a number of issues that need to be addressed and advanced.

“I apologize for the delays you have experienced, but we are trying to move things forward and find solutions.”

The committee voted eight votes to none (with one abstention) at its meeting on November 26 to reconsider the Sparkford proposals.

The committee’s October meeting, due to take place on October 2, will focus on revised proposals for more than 700 homes for the Mudford town extension in Yeovil.