MORE than 500 homes across Sedgemoor cannot currently be built because of outstanding legal agreements.

Sedgemoor District Council has granted planning permission for five major housing developments across the district – two in Cheddar and one each in Bridgwater, Highbridge and North Petherton.

In order for each development to proceed, the council and developer must sign a Section 106 agreement, which lays out how much money the developer will pay the council to fund local amenities, such as play areas and school places.

But in each of these five cases the two parties have so far failed to reach agreement – meaning that not a single house can be built.

In some cases, more than a year has passed since the council originally granted planning permission.

A report on the status of these five sites came before the council’s development committee when it met in Bridgwater on Tuesday morning (October 23).

The five sites in question, comprising a planned total of 563 homes, are:

n 260 homes at Bower Lane, Bridgwater (approved June 5, 2018): development on the first part of this key site in eastern Bridgwater was given the green light in April. In addition to 78 affordable homes, the council hoped to secure from Winters and Edward Ware Homes new public open spaces and a financial contribution towards the spine road through the site, which would be extended if subsequent applications are approved. A draft agreement was drawn up in July, but has been amended in the months since. Officers are hopeful to have both parties signed off by November

n 111 homes at Dawes Farm, North Petherton (approved April 10, 2018): Persimmon Severn Valley was given the green light to build here on the basis that it would deliver 33 affordable homes, provide a children’s play area and make a financial contribution towards ongoing maintenance of the site. A draft agreement was prepared in mid-August, but there remains a dispute over funding for a country park intended to be built south of Wills Road. Representatives from both sides last met on September 18, with officers hoping to have a final agreement signed by the end of November

n 96 homes at Round Oak Farm Axbridge Road, Cheddar (approved July 31, 2018): Waddeton Park Ltd was given permission to develop this site, provided that 29 of the homes were affordable and that contributions would be made towards a children’s play space and the Sharpham Road playing field. Officers have said that “discussions are underway between both parties in respect of the scope of the Section 106  agreement”, with late-November being held up as a target for any such agreement to be signed off

n 67 homes at land north of Helliers Lane, Cheddar (approved October 24, 2017): Cheddar LVA LLP was granted permission on the condition that 20 of the dwellings would be affordable, and that it would contribute towards a children’s play space, Sharpham Road playing field and work to close off the eastern end of Helliers Lane. The terms of the Sharpham Road agreement was only circulated in June 2018, and no further progress has been made since October 9. Officers have been given until November 30 to complete the work

n 29 dwellings on Market Street, Highbridge (approved July 31, 2018): this application involves New Shore Developments Ltd and its commitment to ensure that four of the 29 flats on this site will be affordable. A draft agreement was circulated in September, with officers stating that they are hopeful of a resolution by the end of October

A further update will come to the next development committee meeting, which will be held in Bridgwater on November 20.