Dozens of new homes approved along major town road

Dozens of new homes could be built along the main road in a coastal town after plans were approved.

The Townsend family secured outline permission from Somerset West and Taunton Council in September 2021 to build up to 60 homes south of the A39 Hopcott Road, Minehead.

Revised proposals which include building 21 affordable homes within the site have now been given backing by Somerset Council, which replaced the district council in April 2023

Further details on the project are expected in 2025.

The site lies on the main road leading to Porlock and Exmoor National Park.

Minehead Town Council had objected to the plans, citing a “lack of information” about drainage and arguing it would be difficult for residents to access the town centre without a car, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A spokesman said: "Access to the A39 for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians is a big issue. The site is a long way from any public transport.

"There is a lack of infrastructure and facilities in the town – there is now only one GP surgery in Minehead, and the nearby convenience store has closed."

Senior planning officer Anthony Pick stated that the site had been allocated in the Local Plan as a "sustainable location".

"No objections or concerns have been raised with regards to the capacity of the doctor’s surgery or school capacity to cater for the level of residents proposed," he said.

The committee voted to approve the plans by seven votes to three.

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