We are a community group from Yarlington, Galhampton & North Cadbury, sharing concerns on planned property developments in the area. Our aim is to preserve traditional farming land, influence property developments in the area to be ecologically and conservationally sound and to minimise the impact of any developments on the environment and community.
Emily Estate (UK) Ltd are proposing to develop the land at and around Manor Farm, Yarlington. This entails:
• Construction of a new farm on Black Eight Acres, agricultural land lying between Yarlington & Galhampton, boundaried on three sides by historic footpaths
• Redevelopment of Manor Farm in Yarlington into guest accomodation and long term lets
• Continued construction of concrete roads linking Yarlington / Avalon Farm / Castle Cary
We are objecting to the proposed development on the grounds of the Environmental Impact of a new farm which would be significant on an area of historic beauty. Emily Estate own three established farms in the immediate vicinity and we are encouraging them to redevelop in order to avoid the ecological and environmental disruption of their new facility.
More details can be found here (the presentation of 4th June 2023)
“Whilst there are many fantastic views from the footpaths and lanes across the area, the views from along the {Yarlington} Sleights are perhaps the most cherished and admired.”
The North Cadbury and Yarlington Neighbourhood Plan (p25)
- “Ensure that development is sensitive to the rural setting of the area and does not erode our existing environment and character.
- Protect the green spaces and recreational trails that are valued by local residents and create new ones where possible.
- Protect existing historic trees (some of which may lie outside the Conservation Areas and may need to be identified) and also support the planting of further native trees as part of any development, given their wildlife and climate benefits and how trees can soften the visual impact of development given the rural character of the area.”
The North Cadbury and Yarlington Neighbourhood Plan (p11)
“POLICY SS2: DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS
Development in Rural Settlements (not Market Towns or Rural Centres) will be strictly controlled and limited to that which:
– Provides employment opportunities appropriate to the scale of the settlement; and/or
– Creates or enhances community facilities and services to serve the settlement; and/or
– Meets identified housing need, particularly for affordable housing.
Development will be permitted where it is commensurate with the scale and character of the settlement, provides for one or more of the types of development above, and
increases the sustainability of a settlement in general.
Proposals should be consistent with relevant community led plans, and should generally have the support of the local community following robust engagement and consultation.
Proposals for housing development should only be permitted in Rural Settlements that have access to two or more key services listed at Paragraph 5.41.”
South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) (p21)
“POLICY EP5: FARM DIVERSIFICATION
Proposals for development for the purpose of farm diversification within established agricultural holdings will be permitted if they comply with the following criteria:
– The character, scale and type of proposal is compatible with its location and landscape setting;
– A development will not be allowed to proceed unless it can be demonstrated that it will not result in any adverse impacts to the integrity of Natura 2000 sites and other
national and international wildlife sites and landscape designations;
– They form part of a comprehensive farm diversification scheme and are operated as part of a viable farm holding and contribute to making the holding viable;
– Appropriately located existing buildings should be re-used where possible; and
– Where new or replacement buildings are required, the proposal is in scale with the surroundings and well related to any existing buildings on the site.”
South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) (p30)
“POLICY EQ4: BIODIVERSITY
All proposals for development, including those which would affect sites of regional and local biodiversity, nationally and internationally protected sites and sites of geological interest, will:
– Protect the biodiversity value of land and buildings and minimise fragmentation of habitats and promote coherent ecological networks;
– Maximise opportunities for restoration, enhancement and connection of natural
habitats;
– Incorporate beneficial biodiversity conservation features where appropriate;
– Protect and assist recovery of identified priority species; and
– Ensure that Habitat Features, Priority Habitats and Geological Features that are used by bats and other wildlife are protected and that the design including proposals for
lighting does not cause severance or is a barrier to movement.
Where there is a reasonable likelihood of the presence of protected and priority species development design should be informed by, and applications should be accompanied by, a survey and impact assessment assessing their presence. If present, a sequential approach to the design of the proposal should be taken that aims first to avoid harm, then to lessen the impact, and lastly makes compensatory provision for their needs.
Development will not be allowed to proceed unless it can be demonstrated that it will not result in any adverse impact on the integrity of national and international wildlife and landscape designations, including features outside the site boundaries that ecologically support the conservation of the designated site.”
South Somerset Local Plan (2006 – 2028) (p38)
Have a look at the Footpaths around the immediate area and their History here.
