Yeovil set for 300 new homes at Thorne Lane

The proposed construction of some 300 new homes at Thorne Lane, Yeovil, has been given the green light.

The first phase of the development of the Brimsmore Key Site was given the go ahead at the Council's Area South Committee meeting on 2nd November 2011.

The scheme submitted by Charles Bishop Limited is for the first 298 dwellings on the site and will provide the much needed link road from Thorne Lane/Western Avenue junction to Brimsmore House.

Further applications on the site will follow to provide the affordable housing and community facilities including the local centre comprising shops and offices.

The scheme follows from the allocation of the Thorne Lane Key Site as part of the adopted South Somerset Local Plan (2006), which provided for approximately 830 dwellings on the Key Site together with the link road, a primary school and community facilities.

Councillors say they were pleased with the level of attention to detail shown in the scheme, and considered that the proposal would deliver a high quality environment for future residents as well as providing a new link road across the site.

They were shown a "fly through" artist's impression of the development produced by the applicant's architects Boon Brown to aid their decision.

The new link road will alter the priority of traffic at the current junction of Thorne Lane with Western Avenue where a 'bendabout' (elongated roundabout) will be provided, and Thorne Lane will be closed at the eastern end with the replacement of the double mini-roundabout with a single roundabout.

Details of the original legal agreements, which accompanied the planning permission granted in outline in 2007, require amending but even so it is anticipated that the development will commence on site in early 2012.

Councillor Peter Seib, Portfolio Holder for Development Management said: "This is a good example of modern planning. Charles Bishop Limited has really listened to the concerns of local residents and has worked with councillors, planners and highway engineers re-working the design several times to get it right.

"Although the western end of Thorne Lane will still be used, it will be reconfigured to keep traffic speeds and noise down. The crossings to Abbey Manor and Larkhill are designed to be suitable for use by family groups and a special roundabout should make the Western Avenue junction work much better than it does now, even with the expected traffic growth.

"The house styles vary across the development, creating different neighbourhoods, but the edges of Brimsmore have been designed to blend with the existing estates. The emphasis has been on being a "good neighbour".

"I'm looking forward to seeing this estate built. It will bring forward some much needed housing and building and it will help to get the local economy moving."

What do you think about the Thorne Lane development?

Does Yeovil really need more new homes, or are we building on too many green spaces as our town continues to expand?

Have your say in the comment box below.

Photo: Derek Harper