More than 30 homes could soon be built on a green belt which lies beside a Somerset village.

Fremantle Developments are hoping to get planning permission for a cul-de-sac of detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes on the field to the north of Maypole Close, Clutton. The developers — who are behind the current work off Greensbrook in the village — also propose a new school field for the village's primary school.

The developers submitted a planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council to build 34 homes, with details such as design and layout to be decided at a later date. The development would include one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes, and 30% of the homes would be considered affordable.

Building in the green belt requires "very special circumstances" but Freemantle says delivering a new school field will satisfy this requirement. The developers propose creating a level recreation area which they would transfer to Clutton Primary School on the field between the end of Maypole Close and Broomhill Lane.

A planning and design statement submitted with the application said that the field could be used for "informal play and sports activities" and would allow the school to accommodate growth. The planning statement warned: "It is unlikely that the allocation would come forward without this proposal, and the school will continue to struggle on in its very constrained site, with poor quality outdoor facilities to the detriment of the children."

But at an event to discuss the plans with the village, one local said the developers were "buying planning permission" with the school field — a characterisation the developers rejected. The plans also include more car parking for the school, a community orchard, and a public "open space."

Freemantle hopes to start construction in late 2024, with the homes ready by 2025. The developers state that the work would not involve cutting down trees or hedges currently on the site. 

You can view and comment on the application here: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=23%2F03273%2FOUT

Bath and North East Somerset Council will aim to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission by January 16.