Details of the proposals
Self-Build Development
The intention is to re-submit a planning application for 2no. self-build houses to be occupied by the applicants and their families. The site is outlined in red on the map. We have also included a indicative site layout plan and 3D sketch to show what the development could look like. It is this proposal that we seeking feedback on. The properties would sit within the existing building line at Wild Oak Lane and have relatively low visual impact in the context of surrounding houses. We are currently proposing traditional and high quality matierals that reflect local character. We intend for the properties to be highly sustainable in terms of design and energy efficiency.
Existing block plan showing site and surrounding area - please click image to enlarge, or click here to download
Proposed block plan - please click image to enlarge, or click here to download
Site Layout - please click image to enlarge, or click here to download
Within the housing development we need to retain an agricultural access from Wild Oak Lane. A strip of land would be offered to the Parish Council and/or Trull Meadow Trust to be placed under their control. This would prevent any futher development to the rear of the exsiting building line. This arrangement is shown on the layout plan.
In addition, the applicants have sought their own legal advice and intend to enter into a declaration of trust (legal agreement) with the Local Plan Authority and Parish Council. This would include the following clauses:
Not to construct more than 2 dwellings on the land
Not to construct any buildings or other structure on the land
This legal agreement would be able to be enforced by both the local planning authority and/or Trull Parish Council at any time.
Local Green Space Enhancements
The applicants are in control of land within Trull Meadow and to the rear of the site intended for housing. This additional land extends to 3.58 hectares (8.85 acres). It is currently privately owned with public access via footpath only. We proposed to open up all of this land for community use. We have asked Trull Parish Council if it would be content to co-own this additional land with the applicant to deliver as part of the development:
A new footpath route into the Local Green Space from Wild Oak Lane (between Sunningdale and Withywind) where no access currently exists. This route would have an informal design, to be agreed with the Parish Council, balancing the rural location with any accessibility aspirations.
Management of the land for improved grassland and wildflower to create approximately 80% biodiversity net gain (BNG) in accordance with the Government’s BNG Calculator.
Planting of groups of native trees to enhance the land’s sense of enclosure which is a key aim of the local planning authority’s Green Wedge Assessment.
Delivering a land use which is compatible for recreational users – currently the land is in private ownership and grazed. The route of the public footpath is the only publicly accessible area in legal terms. The recreational value of Trull Meadow is a key reason for why the land is demonstrably special to the community and why it is designated as a Local Green Space. By removing livestock, improving the condition of muddy paths that cause accessibility issues, and allowing free public access to all of the land shown outlined blue, Trull Meadow Local Green Space would be significantly improved for the benefit of everyone. We welcome ideas on this.
Land in applicants control - please click image to enlarge, or click here to download
Funding and Maintainence
Unlike the adjacent Trull Meadow Trust arrangements, the applicants would be funding all costs related to safeguarding this area of land and also on-going management costs. The applicants would not seek any funds from the Parish Council for this, but want to co-own the field to give the Parish Council and community a legal interest (and control) of the land. The applicants would prepare a maintenance and management plan for this land to be submitted to, and agreed by, the local planning authority and Trull Parish Council.
Construction Arrangements
Because there is already an agricultural access into the site any construction compound and vehicles would be able to be contained on site. There would be no need for any construction vehicles to park on Wild Oak Lane at any time during the build.
Who are the applicants?
The new homes are to be designed, built and occupied by Steve Godfrey and Max Pike who would be the applicants for any planning application.
Applicants
Steve Godfrey
Steve grew up with his family in Glasses Mead, Comeytrowe and attended The Castle School, Taunton. He used the local area, including Wild Oak Lane and Trull Meadow throughout his childhood and continues to do so. He currently lives in the village with his wife and children who attend Trull Primary School, with extended family still living in Comeytrowe. For a number of years, Steve has had a strong desire to build his own home in the community that he loves. Building at Wild Oak Lane would allow Steve and his family to be more central within the village, being able to walk to school and give back control of the final portion of Trull Meadow for the benefit of the commmunity in perpetuity.
Max Pike
Max grew up up locally on the corner of Trull Road and Sherford Road when his parents moved there around 30 years ago. Max attended Parkfield School and later Queen's College where his classes used Trull Meadow for sports. Max's family still all live locally, with his parents remaining at Trull Road, his sister at Haines Hill, and Max and his family at Middleway, Wilton. Max runs a family business in Somerset and shares Steve's ambitions to keep his family and business local by living at Wild Oak Lane.
The Project Team
The appointed design team is Haygrove Building Design Ltd., based in Trull. They specialise in designing low impact, highly efficient homes and have, for the past 12 years, maintained an excellent reputation, helping many local families with their extensions, conversions and new builds in the Somerset and Devon area.
Polden Planning Ltd is the appointed planning consultancy. We are locally based in Somerset and have a track record of working closely with communities to deliver development projects that are appropriate and unique to the communites that we are working in.