Cannington Village to Avoid Additional Housing Until 2032 Following Neighbourhood Plan Adoption

Strategic Insights -

Residents of Cannington near Bridgwater can breathe a sigh of relief as their newly-approved Neighbourhood Plan ensures no additional housing will be required until 2032. The plan, adopted by Somerset Council's planning and transport policy sub-committee on August 13, was approved by 91.8% of Cannington residents in a referendum held on July 10, with a 17.62% turnout. The plan's adoption means current and future planning applications in the village will be determined by its guidelines, including the upcoming decision on Strongvox Homes' planned development of 160 homes off Brymore Way.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cannington Neighbourhood Plan allocates no additional sites for housing, with locals arguing the village has already met its minimum housing allocations under the Sedgemoor Local Plan.
  • The plan was approved by 91.8% of Cannington residents in a referendum held on July 10, with a 17.62% turnout.
  • Between 2015/16 and 2023/24, the village has seen 92 additional homes completed, with planning permission being in place for a further 15 houses at different sites.
  • According to the plan, the village would only need to provide 43 additional homes by 2032 to meet its minimum housing target under the Sedgemoor Local Plan.
  • The Neighbourhood Plan states that any additional growth will be minimal, with approximately 11 dwellings per annum expected.
  • Small quantities of new homes may come forward as 'windfall sites', which are not allocated but brought forward by developers due to favourable market conditions.
  • The Cannington Neighbourhood Plan is similar to the Puriton Neighbourhood Plan, which was formally approved in August 2024, and includes a restriction on allocated development sites.

Statistics:

  • 91.8% of Cannington residents voted to approve the Neighbourhood Plan (Source: Somerset Council).
  • 17.62% of the electorate participated in the referendum (Source: Somerset Council).
  • 92 additional homes were completed in the village between 2015/16 and 2023/24 (Source: Cannington Neighbourhood Plan).
  • Planning permission is in place for a further 15 houses at different sites in the village (Source: Cannington Neighbourhood Plan).
  • The village would need to provide only 43 additional homes by 2032 to meet its minimum housing target (Source: Sedgemoor Local Plan).

Sources:

  • Somerset Council (ref: Unknown - multiple sources cited)
  • Cannington Neighbourhood Plan
  • Sedgemoor Local Plan