We have secured planning permission to deliver 280 new homes and major landscape improvements in Street, Somerset. Somerset Council resolved to grant permission for the development, which will include a mix of one- to four-bedroom homes and apartments, all featuring private balconies or gardens. The homes will include an attractive mix of mews houses, apartments, and large family houses.
Of the 280 homes, 84 will be affordable. The majority will be allocated for social rent through Somerset Council’s ‘HomeFinder’ system or available through Shared Ownership, helping first-time buyers and those looking to step onto the property ladder. We are also seeking Homes England funding to convert 11 further homes to social rent, increasing the affordability of the scheme.
Stuart Smith, Director of Technical and Commercial at Curo, said: "As a housing association and housebuilder, our mission is to provide high-quality homes for those who need them most. We’re really proud of the homes we build and excited to offer them to the local community. We want to maximise our impact, so we’ll be applying for additional grant funding to convert 11 more homes to social rent, increasing the number of truly affordable homes within this development."
The site features extensive green spaces, including a central wetland area with a boardwalk crossing, designed to enhance biodiversity while providing a scenic and tranquil setting for residents. The scheme will also boost local biodiversity by 10% through the creation of orchards, allotments, tree and hedge planting, and additional wildlife habitats. New play areas will also be provided as part of the development.
Peter Roberts, Head of Planning at Curo, added: "This development is located on the southeast edge of Street, so we’ve taken great care to create a scheme that respects the area’s natural beauty while forming an attractive gateway to the village. Working with our architects, we’re excited to bring forward this striking central wetland and boardwalk feature which we are confident will be enjoyed by all residents – both new and old.”
In line with our commitment to sustainability, the new homes will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, incorporating air source heat pumps and solar panels to lower carbon emissions and reduce energy bills. The use of these sustainable tools is expected to offset an estimated 228 tonnes of CO₂ annually – equivalent to the carbon absorption of around 6,800 mature trees. Every home will also include an electric vehicle charging point, supporting greener transport options.
The scheme includes key infrastructure improvements such as new access arrangements, a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, and phosphate mitigation measures. We will also provide significant financial contributions towards education and highway upgrades as part of the planning agreement.
We acquired the site from Nine Square Trust in November 2023 and expects to start construction in late 2025. The scheme has been designed in collaboration with David Rhodes Architects, Focus and Tumu Engineers, Landmark Landscape Architects, Tyler Grange Ecologists and Darren Evans Sustainability Consultants.