Plans for 47 new homes on the western edge of Wells have returned to Somerset Council.

Acorn Property Group has submitted detailed proposals for land off the B3139 Elm Close, near the junction with Gipsy Lane. The scheme keeps the same number of homes as the outline application first put forward by Wells LVA LLP and Little Burcott Ltd in August 2023.

Somerset Council's planning committee east narrowly voted to refuse the outline plans in early December 2024. The committee later reversed that decision in early January 2025 after changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.

The latest application sets out the detailed design of the estate, access arrangements, layout, open space and housing mix. Somerset Council is expected to make a decision before the end of the year.

Under the plans, the existing junction with Gipsy Lane would be remodelled to create a new T-junction. A new cycle lane would run along the southern side of Elm Close, including past the neighbouring 100-home development being delivered by David Wilson Homes.

Gipsy Lane would remain accessible through a new junction within the housing estate. The existing public right of way through the site would also be upgraded to provide a pedestrian route to Burcott Lane.

The new homes would fan out from the access road, with the southern edge of the site set aside for public open space, a children's play area, an attenuation pond and a green buffer between Wells and the neighbouring village of Wookey.

The proposed homes range from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses. A total of 122 parking spaces would be provided across the site.

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Of the 47 homes, 19 would be affordable, equivalent to 40 per cent of the development.

As part of the outline legal agreement, signed off in November 2025, the development would also provide more than £11,000 towards active travel. The funding would go towards enhancing and extending the Strawberry Line route through Wells.

A spokesperson for Angus Meek Architects, representing the developer, said: "The design has been influenced by the physical site character, neighbouring setting and aesthetic character of the local context to create a legible and distinctive addition to the edge of Wells.

"A range of house sizes, design types and tenures is proposed to offer accommodation choice aimed at creating a mixed and balanced community that helps to meet the challenge of necessary additional house-building for the region.

"The site aims to provide a sustainable development through the creation of new homes in close proximity to local services, places of work and transport options and by supporting and improving cycle and footpath links."

The western edge of Wells has seen significant housing growth over the last decade. Completed developments include the 119-home Priory Fields estate south of Wookey Hole Road and the 220-home Rose Banks development on the A371 Portway.

Nearby, David Wilson Homes is delivering the 100-home The Elms development on Elm Close. Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd also secured outline permission on appeal in August 2024 for 50 homes south of Wells Touring Park.

The Planning Inspectorate granted Gladman Developments outline permission on appeal in September 2025 for 78 homes on Wookey Hole Road. That site was put up for sale in February.

Two further developments close to the Acorn site are still under consideration. These are a 116-home scheme on Elm Close, put forward by Gleeson Strategic Land Ltd, and plans to relocate Wells Rugby Club to new facilities on Portway, with Stonewater intending to build 106 homes on the existing Charter Way rugby pitches once the relocation has taken place.

Because of the scale and significance of the Acorn proposals, the decision is likely to be made in public by Somerset Council's planning committee east, rather than under delegated powers by planning officers.

Original reporting: LDRS/Daniel Mumby

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