6.128 As set out in Policy SS1, Langport/Huish Episcopi is classified as a ‘Market Town’ due to the settlement having a strong employment, retail and community role.[1] Given its relatively smaller scale and nature compared to some of the larger Market Towns, Langport/Huish Episcopi is identified as a Local Market Town (alongside Somerton and Ansford/Castle Cary) with a reduced scale of growth to match.

6.129 In order to sustain and enhance Langport/Huish Episcopi’s role as a Market Town, with a level of development that is relative to the size, accessibility, character and environmental characteristics of the town, around 400 dwellings should be built in the town in the Local Plan period. As most of these have already been built or committed in the first 5 years of the plan period (295 dwellings), new provision should be made for around 100 dwellings at the town (as set out in Policy SS5). There are few sites available within the existing urban area in Langport/Huish Episcopi,[2] meaning a ‘direction of growth’ is required to identify a broad location to accommodate new development on the edge of the town, as explained below.

6.130 As set out in Policy SS3, 3.44 ha of ‘B’ use class employment land should be delivered in Langport/Huish Episcopi over the Local Plan period. Only 0.44 ha has been provided in the first 5 years of the plan, leaving 3 ha still to be found. This should provide 154 ‘B’ use jobs, as part of a total of 233 jobs that should be delivered at Langport/Huish Episcopi to provide the opportunity for residents to both live and work in the town.

6.131 The ability for new retail development to be delivered in Langport/Huish Episcopi will be limited by its size, natural catchment area, and level of commercial market interest.[3] There is no significant need for new convenience retailing given the existing large supermarket; and the natural catchment and expenditure capacity of the town will limit the potential for large scale additional convenience goods provision; such proposals would also cause concerns over the impact on existing retail provision in the town. Therefore, for both convenience and comparison retailing, a general strategic approach is recommended for Langport/Huish Episcopi that acknowledges the need to retain shopping trips within the town and supports proposals that increase this retention. Policy EP12 states that a retail impact assessment will be required for retail proposals above 500 sq m in Langport/Huish Episcopi, which is considered appropriate for the scale and character of the town.

6.132 The Infrastructure Delivery Plan identifies several infrastructure issues that are considered ‘necessary’ to support development at Langport/Huish Episcopi, which generally relate to open space and sports facilities. Some of the specific infrastructure requirements include a new 3G synthetic turf pitch at Huish Episcopi School, extension of community hall and a community swimming pool.

6.133 The proximity of Langport/Huish Episcopi to the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA/Ramsar means that new development at the settlement should provide suitable open space provision, potentially together with other measures to encourage behaviour, to ensure that the development does not increase – and preferable decreases – existing pressures.

6.134 In order to accommodate the proposed level of housing and employment development at Langport/Huish Episcopi, a ‘direction of growth’ has been identified in three locations to the north east, east and south east of the town (see Proposals Map). These locations for the direction of growth have been chosen using evidence in the Sustainability Appraisal and the potential deliverability of sites for development.[4] Although the priority is for development on brownfield sites, given the lack of development opportunities within the existing urban area of the town, it is expected that the bulk of the remaining development requirements for Langport/Huish Episcopi (i.e. 100 dwellings, 3 ha employment land) will be delivered within the direction of growth. Specific proposals within these locations should come forward through the development management process.

6.135 Concern relating to possible disruption of wildlife and especially Bewick Swans at Wet Moor by local residents from prospective development in the south east of the direction of growth (south of the A372) can be met by identifying that part of the direction of growth for employment use only. All developments in the direction of growth will need to show that they will not adversely impact on the Somerset Levels and Moors Special Protection Area.

6.136 An alternative direction of growth to the west of the town has also been considered, but not taken forward mainly due to a lack of land available for development in this area and a sensitive landscape, but also due to the presence of an important historical building.

6.137 The following delivery bodies will be key in implementing the proposed development at Langport/Huish Episcopi:

• South Somerset District Council
• Town and Parish Councils
• Developers and Landowners
• Yeovil Town Football Club