Developer signs contract with housing association at Midsomer Norton site

A major Somerset developer and a local housing association have marked their agreement to deliver affordable housing at a site in Midsomer Norton.

Persimmon Homes Wessex and Selwood Housing have exchanged contracts on 54 high-quality properties that the former will hand over to the latter, once complete, to alleviate local housing pressure in the area. These will be delivered before the second half of market homes are occupied.

35 of these will be for social rent with the remaining 19 for shared ownership, and all 54 will be equipped with solar panels and electric vehicle charging points.

The accredited five-star builder secured outline planning permission to bring 180 new homes to land off Fossefield Road, to the south of the town. The news comes after Somerset Council granted planning consent shortly before Christmas.

Among the community benefits of the application is also over £400,000 in S106 contributions. This includes £80,000 for the NHS, £168,000 for local education, and £190,000 for off-site public open space.

The ‘Central Square’ will have an equipped play area and be the focal point of the scheme, whilst the development will be populated with pocket parks and tree-lined main streets.

Biodiversity will be enhanced on site through the retention of existing trees and hedgerows, sustainable drainage infrastructure – which will also serve to reduce flood risk – and the provision of new green open spaces and vegetation including planting 132 new trees. Features to support ecology such as bat and bird boxes will also be integrated through the scheme.

The development also includes a building-free ‘Southern Spur’ which will open up a new area for walking and recreation, containing a pedestrian route and community orchard. The scheme is designed to encourage active travel with more than 1km of walking routes within the site.

John Gantlett, Land and Planning Director Persimmon Homes Wessex, said "We are delighted to be partnered with Selwood Housing on our forthcoming site in Midsomer Norton, which will provide much-needed housing for people from the area.

“Persimmon is committed to leaving a positive and lasting legacy on all our sites, and a key part of this is the delivery of homes for a local housing association to meet housing need in that area. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with Selwood Housing as we work to meet the growing demand for housing in Midsomer Norton and the wider area."

Paul Walsh, Group Development Director for Selwood Housing, added “We are pleased to be working once again with Persimmon Homes to deliver 54 much-needed affordable homes for the local area, including both social rent and shared ownership.

“Persimmon’s vision for this new development, with its walking routes and low-energy homes, is particularly exciting. We look forward to welcoming our first customers into their new homes”.