More than 9,000 new homes could be built across Somerset in 2023 if plans are approved.

The last 12 months have seen numerous large housing developments approved across the county – including the Keyford Heights development in Frome, the Strawberry Grange site in Bridgwater, and numerous sections of the Orchard Grove development (a.k.a. the Comeytrowe urban extension) in Taunton.

But further sites will still need to be approved over the coming 12 months to ease the housing crisis, ensuring both existing residents and newcomers to the area have a place to call home.

In light of this, we're running down a list of 50 sites which could be approved in 2022, delivering a combined total of 9,807 homes .

Please note the list below is purely for sites where plans have already been submitted, or where appeals have been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate.

It should also be noted that the delivery of many of these developments may be held up by the need for additional phosphate mitigation as a result of the Dutch N court case – so while these homes may be approved, it may take longer to deliver them.

With that in mind, here are 65 major housing developments which could be given the green light some time in 2023:

1. 1,700 homes (plus employment units, primary school etc.) at the Selwood Garden Community in Frome: The single largest development on the list will see Frome expand considerably, with new homes being delivered up to the A361 arterial road. If approved, the 1,700 homes will be delivered over a 15-year period, along with a new primary school, two employment sites, two care homes, new shops and restaurants, and new wetlands. However, plans for a new solar farm within the site have been withdrawn and subsequently removed from the developers' masterplan
2. 1,210 homes (plus employment units, school, bus and ride facility and A38 relief road) at the Monkton Heathfield urban extension (phase two) Monkton Heathfield: Persimmon Homes South West and Redrow Homes put forward joint plans in December 2021 for phase two of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension, which will deliver new homes at Taunton's north-eastern edge along with employment sites, a new school and a relief road. The plans were due to be discussed in detail by Somerset West and Taunton Council's planning committee in September. But councillors voted to delay a decision for six months to allow improved proposals to come forward – meaning a decision could be expected in March 2023
3. 560 homes (plus new roundabout) on Dunwear Lane in Bridgwater: Lance Alec Rainey House and Hannick Homes Developments Ltd. have jointly put forward these plans for new homes wedged between the M5 and the A372 Westonzoyland Road. If approved, a new roundabout will be provided to connect the site to the land north of the A372, where 260 homes have already been approved. Sedgemoor District Council's development committee was due to make a decision on the plans in November, but ultimately deferred until more information became available
4. 525 homes (plus shops, parkland and link road) on the Crewkerne key site (phase two) in Crewkerne: Taylor Wimpey Exeter has outline permission to construct 635 new homes on the Crewkerne Key Site, which lies between the A30 Yeovil Road and the A356 Station Road to the east of the town centre. South Somerset District Council approved detailed plans for the first 110 homes in March 2021, with construction formally getting underway later the same year. The developer has now revealed its proposed designs for the remaining homes at the northern end of the site, which could be delivered within the next three to four years if permission is granted
5. 400 homes (plus primary school) on Canal Way in Ilminster: Persimmon Homes South West submitted plans in late-2016 to build up to 400 homes south of Canal Way, between the town's Meadows Surgery and the Herne Hill nature reserve. These plans remain in limbo as Somerset County Council moved to sell off its land at the neighbouring Coldharbour Farm. It is also currently unclear whether the new school will be required, given the county council's controversial changes to the school system in the Crewkerne and Ilminster area, which came into effect in September
6. 400 homes (plus relief road) on the B3227 Taunton Road in Norton Fitzwarren: Crest Nicholson South West and West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd. have put forward plans for 400 new homes on the Ford Farm site in Norton Fitzwarren, north of the railway line. As part of the development, the two firms will complete the construction of Great Western Way at the site's southern edge, taking pressure off the B3227 between Taunton and Wiveliscombe. Land near the western edge is being left vacant in case West Somerset Railway wishes to bring its former halt back into use
7. 350 homes (plus employment units and leisure facilities) on the B3191 Brendon Road in Watchet: Tameer Homes originally proposed to build up to 400 homes on the former Watchet Paper Mill site, but this has now been revised down to a maximum of 350 homes, comprising 260 homes and 90 flats. If approved, the site, will also include employment units, a hotel, leisure facilities and a "visitor interpretation centre". In its recent Local Plan review, Somerset West and Taunton Council expected construction to begin by 2026 if permission was granted, though it will cost more than £1m to decontaminate the site before the first homes can be built
8. 346 homes (plus care home and extension to the Willstock Country Park) on the Bridgwater Gateway site in Bridgwater: Sedgemoor District Council voted in late March to approve the design principles of phase two of the Bridgwater Gateway site, which will deliver hundreds of new homes and much-needed jobs on the A38 Taunton Road, not far from Junction 24 of the M5. Boklok UK Ltd. has now submitted plans for 346 homes on its section of the site, along with a 66-bed care home and an extension to the nearby Stockmoor and Willstock Country Park. Boklok – which is jointly owned by Skanska and Ikea – intends to deliver a mixture of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes to the north of the existing commercial units on Compass Avenue, near the existing Premier Inn and Costa Coffee branch
9. 300 homes (plus local centre, allotments and woodland) on the A356 Station Road in Crewkerne: Place Land LLP first approached South Somerset District Council in mid-2018 about the prospect of building up to 350 new homes to the west of the A356 Station Road opposite the station entrance. Following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Exeter-based land promoter launched a formal consultation in August on plans for up to 300 new homes on this site, with connections to other nearby housing developments. An amended proposal is expected to come forward early in the new year for a final decision
10. 280 homes on the B3151 Somerton Road in Street: These outline plans have been brought forward by the Ninesquare Trust, a charity based in Baltonsborough which owns this site. The trust has already given out £400,000 in grants and will use the proceeds from the development to fund further grants to local voluntary organisations. To offset the development's impact on the Somerset Levels and Moors, a pig farm in the village of Wraxall could be taken completely out of commission
11. 252 homes on the A358 Tatworth Road in Chard: Persimmon Homes South West has applied to build 252 new homes on the A358 Tatworth Road, providing the first section of the long-awaited Chard eastern relief road which will eventually link up with the A30. A decision has been repeatedly delayed by South Somerset District Council due to concerns about traffic and education provision within the site. The delivery of the relief road remains a hot potato in Chard, with a report laying out the options being repeatedly delayed
12. 252 homes on the A359 Mudford Road in Yeovil: Yeovil LVA LLP seeking outline planning permission to build a 252-dwelling development featuring a public open space with community orchard and village green at the A359 Mudford Road. This site lies a stone's through away from the Up Mudford key site where more than 700 new homes will be delivered over the next decade. Traffic concerns have already been raised by locals, who will make their voices known when South Somerset District Council (or its unitary successor) comes to make a decision
13. 248 homes (plus community hub or shop) on Isleport Lane in Highbridge: Bickenhall Consulting Ltd. was granted outline planning permission in November 2019 to build up to 248 homes on Isleport Lane in Highbridge, between the motorway and the town's main industrial area (including its household waste recycling centre). As part of the planning permission and associated legal agreements (which were finally signed off in February 2022), the developer promised that no more than 100 of the new homes would be sold or occupied until the Edithmead roundabout – connecting Highbridge to Junction 22 of the M5 – had been improved. But the site's new owners, Countryside Partnerships PLC, is attempting to get out of this commitment, putting forward amended designs for the new homes at the same time
14. 237 homes on King's Drive in Bridgwater: this is a further parcel of land within the North East Bridgwater allocation in Sedgemoor District Council's Local Plan, which runs until 2032. Bloor Homes South West has put forward revised plans to deliver 237 new homes on the eastern side of King's Drive, opposite Willowdown Primary School. A decision is expected by the spring and is unlikely to come to the development committee
15. 230 homes on the A30 Crewkerne Road in Chard: Gladman Developments launched a consultation in September on plans for a new development north of the A30 Crewkerne Road, within the Chard Eastern Development Area (CEDA). The Congleton-based developer believes it can meet Chard's growing need for housing and help to deliver part of a vital relief road to ease town centre traffic. A formal outline planning application is expected to be considered by councillors by the early-summer
16. 160 homes (plus community facility) on Bowden Road in Templecombe: Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd. has put forward initial details for a development of 160 new homes and a community facility on Bowden Road at the southern edge of Templecombe, within the Blackmore Vale. The Fleet-based developer – which failed to secure permission to build 60 homes in the village back in July 2021 – invited initial feedback from residents in the run-up to Christmas. Formal plans will be submitted early next year, with a ruling expected within the next six months
17. 150 homes (plus community hub) on Marston Lane in Frome: Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd. put forward initial proposals (known as a screening option) in December 2021 to build up to 180 homes on the western side of Marston Lane in Frome, located off the busy B3090 Marston Road. Mendip District Council refused revised proposals for150 homes in June 2022, claiming the site cannot be accessed safely and would have a "significant adverse impact" on existing residents. But the developer has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate, with a public inquiry due to begin on January 10, 2023
18. 150 homes (plus employment units) on the B3168 Station Road in Ilminster: Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd put forward these plans in January 2019 for 150 homes on the northern side of the B3168 Station Road and a range of employment units (including a car showroom and a drive-thru) on the southern side. Concerns have been raised about the flood risk from the River Isle which runs near the site, especially in light of the events in October 2021. Local farmers have been advised in a recent report to not plant maize on the surrounding fields in a bid to reduce the risk to this and other sites
19. 150 homes on Cheddon Road in Taunton: Gladman Developments was originally refused permission for 180 homes on this site in July 2019, with Somerset West and Taunton Council's planning committee ruling it would damage the natural environment and was outside the Taunton settlement boundary. The developer submitted the same plans for the same number of homes in October 2020, but has subsequently reduced the number to 150. If a decision is not taken soon, the Congleton-based developer may lodge an appeal on the grounds of non-determination (i.e. the council failing to come to a decision within a reasonable amount of time)
20. 136 homes (plus redirection of coast road) on the B3191 Cleeve Hill in Watchet: The Cleeve Hill Development group first put forward plans in June 2018 for the new homes on Cleeve Hill in Watchet – which would have seen the vital B3191 diverted inland to prevent the link to Blue Anchor being lost. Somerset West and Taunton Council refused the plans in July 2020, with these amended proposals changing how homes would be laid out along the diverted road. There are unconfirmed reports that these revised proposals will come before the council's planning committee in early-January 2023
21. 120 homes (plus orchard and allotments) on the B3153 High Street in Keinton Mandeville: Keinton Mandeville LVA LLP has put forward outline plans for 120 new houses south of the B3153 High Street in Keinton Mandeville, located between Somerton and the busy A37 to Yeovil and Shepton Mallet. Following a consultation with local residents in November 2021, new plans have laid out how the new homes will be accessed, including a possible future link to the village hall on Chistles Lane. The development site comprises three fields south of the B3153, ending near the village hall and the existing Lakeview housing development constructed by Galion
22. 110 homes on Lakeside in Highbridge: Coln Residential Ltd. applied in August 2018 to build homes south of the existing Lakeside homes, on land owned by Sedgemoor District Council. The council voted in July 2020 to sell the land to the developer for £350,000, despite an outcry from local residents who called for the site to be preserved as a "green lung" for future generations. The site has now been sold to Boklok UK Ltd., with a decision on revised plans for the site expected very soon
23. 98 homes on Mayfair Close in Bridgwater: Hallam Land Management and Persimmon Homes Severn Valley were given outline planning permission in July 2020 to deliver 2,000 homes between the A39 Bath Road and the Bristol to Exeter railway line – along with 1,200 sq m of retail space, leisure facilities, a new primary school and other facilities. Numerous sections of the development site have already been built out, including 53 homes near the Morrisons distribution centre. This site concerns a strip of land near the M5 south of the Willow Man sculpture, with approval expected to be handled by the delegated power of planning officers rather than a committee decision
24. 97 homes on the B3167 Perry Street in Tatworth: The Crossman Group asked for residents' views in August 2021 over proposals for a new development planned for the eastern side of the B3167 Perry Street in Tatworth, a stone's throw from the Devon and Dorset borders. Following local feedback, formal plans for the new estate have been submitted by the Bath-based developer, with the number of homes being slightly reduced to 97. While residents has seen off attempts to build 48 homes at the other end of the village back in January, the fate of this application remains in the balance
25. 90 homes (plus care facility) on Packsaddle Way in Frome: Packsaddle Fields, which lies at Frome's northern edge, has been owned by Somerset County Council since 1973 and was originally earmarked for a new school. The council announced in March 2022 that it was selling the land off, entering into an agreement with housing association LiveWest to deliver up to 90 new homes on the fields north of Packsaddle Way. These plans have been criticised by the pressure group People for Packsaddle (PfP), with a decision expected by the summer
26. 89 homes on Lang Road in Crewkerne (phase one):  James Tizzard of Land Value Alliances LLP applied to build 150 homes between Kithill and the railway line at the southern edge of Crewkerne. South Somerset District Council twice refused the plans in mid-2019, but these decisions were subsequently overturned following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. Tilia Homes Ltd. has now put forward detailed proposals for the first phase of the development, involving the creation of 89 homes
27. 85 homes on Ashlands Lane in Crewkerne: Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd. has put forward outline plans for these homes opposite Wadham School, which has been reorganised into a secondary school as part of Somerset County Council's school reforms. Residents have branded the access arrangements as "dangerous", going on to argue Crewkerne town centre will become "even more congested" if approval is given. If a decision is not forthcoming before the spring, the developer may choose to take the matter up with the Planning Inspectorate instead
28. 81 homes on the A371 Cumnock Road in Castle Cary: Castle Cary (BMI) Ltd applied in mid-2018 to redevelop the former BMI complex on the A371 Cumnock Road in Castle Cary to deliver a total of 81 new homes for the town. South Somerset District Council's area east committee voted to refuse the plans in July 2019 – a decision which was subsequently upheld by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2020 following a public inquiry. But following a successful high court challenge, a second public inquiry was instituted – which is expected to resume some time in the new year
29. 80 homes (plus takeaway and orchard) on Dene Road in Cotford St. Luke): Hallam Land Management has put forward plans for 80 homes and a possible takeaway in this small village between Taunton and Bishop's Lydeard. Somerset West and Taunton Council's planning committee refused the plans in July, branding them "inappropriate" for the size of the village and criticising the lack of green space. But this decision could soon be overturned following a public inquiry in early-December, with the inspector's report being expected before the spring
30. 75 homes on Beauchamps Drive near Midsomer Norton: Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd. put forward plans in late-January to build 75 homes on Beauchamps Drive, in the neighbouring parish of Stratton-on-the-Fosse. The plans were refused by Mendip District Council refused the plans in late-May 2021, but this was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate following a public inquiry in February 2022. The site has now been sold to Wainhomes, which has put forward amended proposals to deliver the new homes and connections to the neighbouring development site
31. 60 homes (plus community hall) on Brookside Road in Combwich: The Land Promotion Group has put forward new proposals for up to 60 homes and a community venue on Brookside Road in the small village of Combwich – which lies on the main road connecting the Hinkley Point C power station to the nearby village of Cannington and the A39 from Bridgwater. Sedgemoor District Council is expected to make a decision on the proposals early in the new year
32. 53 homes on Houlgate Way in Axbridge: Hannick Homes was granted permission in January 2020 to build 53 new homes on Houlgate Way in Axbridge, on land adjoining Axbridge and Wedmore Medical Practice. Progress on delivering the site has been delayed by legal technicalities, with the relevant agreements only being signed off in January 2022. Since then, the site has been sold to Bellway Homes (South West) Ltd., which has now submitted revised proposals to Sedgemoor District Council
33. 52 homes on North Villas in Cotford St. Luke: S. Notato Ltd. has applied to build 52 new homes immediately to the north of Dene Barton Community Hospital in the village of Cotford St. Luke. The site lies on the eastern side of North Villas between the community hospital and the existing homes on Luscombe Road. A decision on these proposals is expected before the summer – around the same time that the outcome to the Dene Road planning inquiry will be known
34. 51 homes on Orchard Grove (a.k.a. the Comeytrowe Urban Extension) in Taunton: Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Homes are currently constructing the Orchard Grove development, which will eventually deliver 2,000 new homes between the A38 Wellington Road and Honiton Road on the western edge of Taunton. Numerous parcels of land within the site have already been built out, with Somerset County Council reporting that 200 homes had been completed, of which all but 20 had been sold off. The developer has now submitted plans for 51 further homes at the north-eastern corner, near a recently-approved parcel of 70 properties
35. 50 homes (plus 75-space car park) on the A30 East Street in Crewkerne: South Somerset District Council has been trying for the best part of a decade to deliver a new public car park on the Millers Garage site, located off the A30 East Street in Crewkerne. Having purchased the site in late-2014 for £225,000, the council spent years trying to bring forward proposals for the car park, which would link up to the existing car parking near the Henhayes Centre. Under new proposals by the Stonewater housing association, a total of 50 low-cost homes would be built on the Millers Garage site, with a 75-space car park and associated pedestrian and cycle links being implemented
36. 49 homes (plus allotments and orchard) on Church Lane in Rode: Waddeton Park Ltd. applied in January 2021 to build 49 homes on Church Lane in the village of Rode, located between Frome and the Wiltshire border. Mendip District Council refused permission for the plans in August 2021, citing concerns about building in open countryside and harm to the village's historic character. The council has now confirmed an appeal has been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate, with a public inquiry to settle the matter expected to take place in early-2023
37. 49 homes on Broadway Hill in Horton: Glastonbury-based developer Galion has submitted these plans for a new housing development on Broadway Hill in Horton, near Ilminster. The new homes will be built at the western end of the small village, with the new homes being just over a quarter of a mile from the A303, just west of the Southfields roundabout. The number of homes has been slightly reduced from 50 to 49, with measures being proposed to offset any increase in phosphates from the new homes
38. 47 homes on Coalpit Lane in Stoke St. Michael: Stoke St. Michael LVA LLP put forward plans in March 2020 to build 47 homes on Coalpit Lane in the village of Stoke St. Michael, a few miles north-east of Shepton Mallet. Mendip District Council refused planning permission for the scheme in May 2021, arguing it would "urbanise" the village through "over-development" and could have a negative impact on the two nearby quarries. A planning inquiry was held in early-November 2022, with the inspector's ruling being expected before the spring
39. 45 homes (plus 60-bed care home) on High Street in Sparkford: Waddeton Park Ltd has submitted a planning application to South Somerset District Council seeking to get to work on this project. The nine-hectare site is located off the A359 close to the Sparkford A303 services, which includes a popular McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru. A decision is expected to be taken by councillors in the spring
40. 44 homes (plus one office) on the Former Somerset Bridge Primary School site in Bridgwater: 3C Commercial Ltd., which is based in Bradley Stoke, has made numerous attempts to build homes on the former Somerset Bridge school site on Hamp Bridge in Bridgwater, which closed in 2010. The most recent attempt, comprising 31 homes and an office, was refused by Sedgemoor District Council in February 2022 – at the same time that separate plans for nine homes at the other end of the road were approved. These latest plans are one of two proposals for the same site, which could be decided within the first few weeks of 2023
41. 43 homes on West Camel Road in Queen Camel:  This proposed development wraps around existing homes on West Camel Road and is within walking distance of Countess Gytha Primary School. The land owned beyond the development extends far beyond the school on the other side of the road – meaning this could be the first phase of a major expansion of this village not far from the A303. With the dualling of the A303 currently under way, construction of these homes will have to be carefully timed if approval is granted to minimise disruption to motorists
42. 42 homes on the A38 Wellington Road in Taunton: Nick and Cheridan Clark have applied to demolish two existing bungalows – known as Beech Acre and Steps Water – on the edge of Longrun Meadow, one of the main green lungs in the centre of the county town. The buildings will be replaced with two three-storey blocks of flats, delivering a total of 42 one-bedroom properties. The existing properties are accessed by a private road to the north of the A38 Wellington Road, a short distance from the town's Tesco superstore, the Castle School and Bridgwater and Taunton College
43. 40 homes on Silver Street in South Petherton: Your Land Partner Ltd. has put forward outline plans to construct 40 new homes to the north of Silver Street in South Petherton, near the village's community hospital and doctors' surgery. The land promoter – which is based in Shrewsbury in Shropshire – believes the development (dubbed 'Hamdon View') will meet local need and compliment the existing architecture of the village. The site lies at the north-eastern edge of the village, on the edge of the Somerset Levels and two miles from the neighbouring village of Martock
44. 36 homes (plus one office) on the Former Somerset Bridge Primary School site in Bridgwater:  these plans are the second set of proposals put forward for this site by 3C Commercial Ltd. This plans reduce the proposed number of homes on this restrictive site by eight, while still delivering a single office. Planning officers could make a delegated decision on these proposals within a matter of weeks
45. 35 homes (plus improvements to the Fox and Hounds pub) on Broadway Road in Charlton Adam: Grove Property (Charlton Adam) Ltd. has applied to build 35 new homes to the south of the Fox and Hounds pub on Broadway in the village of Charlton Adam, between Somerton and the busy A37. Permission to build 24 homes on the same site were refused by the council's regulation committee in October 2019; however, this decision was overturned following a successful appeal. The developer has not indicated how soon the pub could be upgraded once approval has been given for the new homes
46. 34 homes on the B3139 Wells Road in Wedmore: C&P Developments Ltd. wish to build this development on a three-acre plot of land near Combe Batch in Wedmore. The proposed development, if approved, will be made up of 20 houses that will be sold on the open market as well as 14 affordable homes. The increasingly village is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, with 38 further homes being approved near the school in March 2021
47. 30-bed care home complex (phase one) at Lyngford House on Lyngford Lane in Taunton: the Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group (AHH) was granted permission in 2018 to redevelop two redundant Taunton sites into accommodation for the over-55s – Lyngford House on Lyngford Lane, and Quantock House on Paul Street. The Bournemouth-based firm – formerly known as The Quantock Group – has been pushing forward with the Quantock House development in the town centre, while efforts to deliver 45 homes at Lyngford House have been held up by the ongoing phosphates crisis. The company has now submitted plans for the first 30 properties within the complex, with Somerset West and Taunton Council expected to make a decision early in 2023
48. 29 homes at 1 Market Street in Highbridge: New Shore Developments Ltd., which is based in Poole, secured planning permission from Sedgemoor District Council's development committee in July 2018 to redevelop the vacant brownfield site at 1 Market Street. After this permission lapsed in February, the developer has now put forward amended proposals for the same number of homes. A decision is expected shortly after the council learns the outcome of its £19m bid to the government's levelling up fund
49. 29 homes on the B3152 Station Road in Castle Cary: The B3152 Station Road in Castle Cary has seen significant interest from housing developers in recent years, with numerous new estates being approved and constructed between the town centre and the station. Redcliffe Homes launched a consultation with local residents in August over proposals to build 29 new homes between Almsford Close and the Lovells Farm development on the eastern side of the road. South Somerset District Council is expected to make a final ruling on the matter in early-2023
50. 28 homes on Vagg Lane in Chilthorne Domer: The Dowding family was granted outline planning permission in November 2018 to build 28 new houses on Vagg Lane in Chilthorne Domer, north of The Carpenters Arms pub. Magna Housing acquired the site in July 2021 and has now submitted revised plans for the same number of dwellings. A decision is expected to be on these proposals before the summer