South West helps to keep Ilminster clean

Ilminster Town Council’s efforts to keep their town clean received a boost after a grant from our South West region.

Persimmon Homes South West handed over the £1,000 cheque to Mayor Leanne Taylor at the Market House at the end of February, with Somerset Councillor Sue Osborne in attendance, following the Town Council’s application to our Community Champions fund.

The money will go towards five new replacement dog bins in the Herne Hill Nature Reserve near the proposed site in Ilminster, making Herne Hill a cleaner and safer place for everyone to enjoy.

South West recently secured outline planning permission to build up to 400 new homes on land south of Canal Way in Ilminster, near The Meadows doctors’ surgery, 35% of which will be transferred to a local housing association partner.

The scheme will be gas-free, with zero-carbon ready homes powered by technology such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. Persimmon’s S106 commitments will deliver nearly £3.5m in financial contributions to the community.

It will also deliver a biodiversity net gain, with the design including enhancing the current network of hedgerows and trees, adding woodland parks, gardens, rain gardens, urban trees, species-rich meadows, and new and enhanced ponds and wetlands.

Our Community Champions scheme sees over £700,000 each year donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. Recent local recipients include the Meeting House Ilminster, Wellington Warm Places, and St John’s Ambulance Taunton. Organisations can apply for a grant at persimmonhomes.com/community-champions-2024

Commenting, Persimmon Homes South West Sales Director Stacey Harris said:

“Persimmon is very happy to support Ilminster Town Council with its ambitions to keep their beautiful nature reserve green and tidy, especially with the potential for new, high-quality homes in the town that will help ease the housing pressure in the area.

“We are very excited to bring forward our reserved matters application in Ilminster, especially considering the sustainability, environmental, and economic benefits it will bring to the area, and Persimmon is very happy to play its part in efforts to preserve the town’s beauty.”

Ilminster Mayor and town councillor Leanne Taylor added:

“Herne Hill is very popular with Ilminster residents and visitors alike, from children enjoying adventures in the woods to dog walkers out on daily walks and everyone in between.

“So, we’re delighted that the Town Council was successful in its application to Persimmon’s Community Champions fund and will look to get the new bins installed as soon as possible.”

Cllr Sue Osborne – Somerset Councillor and town councillor for Ilminster – commented:

“I am pleased to see that Persimmon is seeking to help residents in Ilminster after they recently secured outline consent on their development. I know the Town Council are grateful for this grant from Persimmon’s community fund.

“We love our open spaces and want everyone walking through Herne Hill to be able to do so without any mess and litter getting in the way. I am delighted that the Town Council can act on the concerns of residents and replace the outdated bins for the benefit of all.”