Homes approved despite climate change concerns

A coastal town will be getting 175 new homes despite concerns the houses will not be net zero.

Summerfield Developments has already built 75 properties at the Liddymore Park estate in Watchet. On Tuesday, Somerset Council's planning committee approved plans for another 175 houses at the estate.

Councillor Habib Farbahi said: "To see this site developing 31% affordable homes is to be welcomed."

However, councillor Caroline Ellis criticised the designs, arguing the council should put developers under greater pressure to deliver net zero houses.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Ellis told the meeting: "These are not net zero homes – these are being built assuming that there's a Planet B in mind, and we need to be stronger on this."

Councillor Steven Pugsley replied: "These are things that needed to have been discussed when the outline plans came forward. I'm afraid that ship has sailed."

Darren Beer, associate director of Focus on Design, representing the Taunton-based developer, told the committee the company had "chosen to ensure that there is a complete circular set of connections for pedestrians and cyclists linking to green spaces within the site".

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans, meaning construction of the new phases can begin in the new year.

Watchet, which sits between Minehead and the mouth of the River Parrett, has seen significant interest from housing developers in recent years.

Four sites, including the Liddymore Park estate, could deliver nearly 900 new homes between them, increasing the town's current population by around 45%.

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