It is suggested that no other sites offer such an extensive tract of land that is subject to very limited constraints to potential development. Any such constraints could be overcome through sensitive design and mitigation proposals. Relationship to Yeovilton RNAS Yeovilton is one of the busiest airfields in the country that currently employs around 4,300 people. The Garden settlement proposal can utilise and enhance its available facilities by providing technology and aeronautical industrial and employment land in close proximity that can potentially access the airbase for commercial and testing purposes. There is a unique potential to deliver large scale employment development due to its proximity; up to about 19,000 jobs according to the Church Commissioners. Traffic in Yeovil It would reduce traffic flow through Yeovil and reduce congestion in Yeovil; and it would help the capacity problem at the Horsey Lane roundabout. Highways It will be adjacent to and benefit from the dualling for the A303; and provide immediate access to London and the west via the A303 and to Bath and Bristol via A37. Rail It will be able to link to and will benefit from the rail line. Landscape and BMV Agricultural Land The site is not covered by any statutory designations and no available documentation or character assessment work identifies the site as a particularly special or valued landscape; and its topography is also not subject to any severe gradients or elevation that would make any development particularly visually expose. It would be built on Grade 3 & 4 agricultural land rather than on Grade 1 land. It would not affect areas of natural beauty. Benefits to Other Settlements The development will be self-sustaining and the surrounding villages will not suffer further pressure on limited resources. There may be opportunities for Ilchester residents to access new shops, library, entertainment facilities etc.
It is suggested that no other sites offer such an extensive tract of land that is subject to very limited constraints to potential development. Any such constraints could be overcome through sensitive design and mitigation proposals. Relationship to Yeovilton RNAS Yeovilton is one of the busiest airfields in the country that currently employs around 4,300 people. The Garden settlement proposal can utilise and enhance its available facilities by providing technology and aeronautical industrial and employment land in close proximity that can potentially access the airbase for commercial and testing purposes. There is a unique potential to deliver large scale employment development due to its proximity; up to about 19,000 jobs according to the Church Commissioners. Traffic in Yeovil It would reduce traffic flow through Yeovil and reduce congestion in Yeovil; and it would help the capacity problem at the Horsey Lane roundabout. Highways It will be adjacent to and benefit from the dualling for the A303; and provide immediate access to London and the west via the A303 and to Bath and Bristol via A37. Rail It will be able to link to and will benefit from the rail line. Landscape and BMV Agricultural Land The site is not covered by any statutory designations and no available documentation or character assessment work identifies the site as a particularly special or valued landscape; and its topography is also not subject to any severe gradients or elevation that would make any development particularly visually expose. It would be built on Grade 3 & 4 agricultural land rather than on Grade 1 land. It would not affect areas of natural beauty. Benefits to Other Settlements The development will be self-sustaining and the surrounding villages will not suffer further pressure on limited resources. There may be opportunities for Ilchester residents to access new shops, library, entertainment facilities etc.