Approval for much-needed new housing in Keynsham

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has secured approval to bring forward detailed plans to bring up to 200 new homes to Keynsham.

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley region was awarded outline permission by Bath & North-East Somerset (BANES) Council’s planning committee to develop a mixture of two, three, and four-bed properties on land west of Charlton Road.

Persimmon’s scheme is notable for the high proportion of units that will be reserved for a local housing association, with 45% of the development dedicated towards tackling the housing waiting list in BANES, which stands at 5,700 households.

All the homes will be zero carbon-ready – making use of renewable technologies in the form of air source heat pumps and solar panels – will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points, and have car and cycle parking.

A sense of place will be created on-site through the installation of an equipped playground, recreational facilities, a commercial unit, open space, and green infrastructure including allotments, grasslands, and an orchard.

The scheme’s environmental credentials are apparent through the provision of a treeline buffer to help preserve the bordering conservation area, a minimum of 10% biodiversity net gain off-site, and on-site sustainable drainage.

Approval for the application means over a million pounds in financial contributions from Persimmon will occur once comprehensive planning permission is given. Vehicular, pedestrian, and cycle access will come from Charlton Road, already serviced as a local bus route.

Persimmon will now need to bring forward a detailed reserved matters application to BANES Council before the vast majority of construction work can commence. 

Commenting on the approval, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Managing Director Claire Burton said:

“I am grateful to BANES Council’s planning committee for recognising the merits of our scheme in Keynsham and awarding us outline consent, establishing the principle of development here.

“This is a very exciting and ambitious scheme that delivers several times over for the local community, through a substantial of proportion of properties reserved for tackling housing need in the town, extensive green infrastructure, and multiple amenities, all in addition to further financial contributions from Persimmon for local services.

“We look forward to progressing our plans to the next stage and will continue to work closely with BANES Council, the local community, and its representatives as we develop our reserved matters application and aim to leave a positive and lasting legacy in Keynsham.”