AN online consultation is being carried out on proposals to build 16 new open market and ‘affordable’ homes in a village high on Exmoor.

It follows a public drop-in session held last week in the Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, where Cherwyn Developments explained its plans for a rural housing project in the parish.

The company has identified a site for 15 properties at Dunkery View Farm, next to the village hall, and smaller site off Higher Park Lane for one more bungalow.

Its proposals include one, two, three, and four-bedroom bedroom properties comprising a mix of houses, bungalows, and flats.

Cherwyn said a planning application would be submitted before the end of the year and if approved, it hoped to start building next summer.

The plans follow an affordable housing need assessment carried out for eight parish councils on Exmoor - Cutcombe, Exford, Exton, Luccombe, Luxborough, Timberscombe, Winsford, and Wootton Courtenay.

A proposed plan of the 15 homes which could be built next to the village hall in Wheddon Cross.
A proposed plan of the 15 homes which could be built next to the village hall in Wheddon Cross. (Reed Holland)

The exercise identified a need to build nine affordable homes within the national park varying in size from single person one-bedroom accommodation to family three-bedroom properties.

It also showed another 13 households in the eight parishes who were registered on the Somerset Homefinder site as in ‘local affordable housing need’, 10 of whom wanted to live in Cutcombe. 

Bridgwater-based Polden Planning’s Rebecca Randall, who is carrying out the consultation, said: “There was a perception that a lack of available, affordable housing may be driving people with a local connection to the Exmoor villages away from the area.

“The national park experiences high house prices and rents which means that for many people with strong local connections it is difficult to find a home within their community.

“Local affordable housing includes homes for those with a local connection to the Exmoor villages and can be delivered as discounted rent and ownership, social rent, shared ownership, and supported housing.

“Potential occupiers must have a local connection to the area, for example, live or work in the area or have relatives or dependents in the area.”

Two potential housing sites Wheddon Cross and Cutcombe outlined in red.
Two potential housing sites in Wheddon Cross and Cutcombe outlined in red. (Polden Planning)

Cherwyn managing director Chris Winter said: “Plans will not be finalised until we have completed local consultation activities.

“We are working with the planning authorities and affordable housing providers to understand the maximum number of local affordable homes that can be achieved.

“A site specific viability process is being undertaken to understand the minimum number of open market homes required to enable the scheme to be delivered.

“A legal agreement attached to any planning permission granted would prioritise affordable homes for occupation by people with a local connection to Wheddon Cross and Cutcombe parish, or the immediately adjacent parishes.”

An earlier, separate consultation showed the Dunkery View Farm site had the highest level of local support and the lowest level of local opposition of seven sites consulted on across the eight parishes.

Polden Planning’s online consultation can be found here.

Anybody in need of new housing for rent or ownership in West Somerset should register their details with Somerset Homefinder here.