TWO controversial developments in Broadway
which could see 36 homes built in the village have
fallen by the wayside – for now.
Plans for 16 homes on land at Tanyard have been
thrown out amid flooding concerns, while other
plans for 20 homes at Vardens Farm have been
withdrawn, but could return on a smaller scale.
Mr J.V. Baker and family had submitted the
application for Tanyard, but a string of local residents
have written to council officers expressing
fears over infrastructure, traffic and flooding putting
undue strain on the village.
Among the objectors to the development were
life-long Broadway residents Mr and Mrs Baigent,
of Gyffarde Street, who, in a letter to South Somerset
District Council, said: “Bringing up children in
Broadway would make life very difficult for a family
as there is not the infrastructure there to help.
“There is no bus service in Broadway. Even
before it was cancelled it ran every two hours and
for young families these days, lives cannot be lived
being reliant on a two-hourly bus service or not
even one at all.
“There are not enough clubs and activities for
young children or even young people in the village.
“Even if there is a financial contribution to the
village to help with funding new facilities, there
will never be enough to make it viable for young
families.
“We are also deeply concerned about flooding
and we also have no doubt that the field east of this
site will be the next to go.
“Please listen to the people of the village.”
Having considered the application and resolved
to refuse the plans, the district council concluded:
“This application fails to demonstrate that the proposal
for up to 16 homes could be developed without
the risk of future flooding to the site, due to the
absence of a satisfactory flood risk assessment.”
The applicant seeking to build 20 homes at Vardens
Farm has withdrawn the application, but confirmed
to planning officer Linda Hayden that a
smaller scale application could be submitted in the
New Year to “meet housing needs.”