Bath-based housing association and housebuilder Curo has secured planning permission to build 280 new homes and deliver significant landscape enhancements in Street, Somerset.
Somerset Council has resolved to grant permission for the development, which will include a combination 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.
A row of thoughtfully designed mews homes within the development
Eighty-four of the new homes will be designated as affordable housing. The majority will be allocated for subsidised social rent through Somerset Council’s ‘HomeFinder’ lettings system, while the remainder will be offered under the Shared Ownership scheme to support first-time buyers and those looking to take their first step onto the property ladder. In addition, Curo has confirmed it will seek grant funding from Homes England to deliver an extra 11 homes for social rent.
Stuart Smith, Technical and Commercial Director 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 social homes within this development.”
(A visualisation of the apartment buildings within the scheme, designed to offer high-quality, energy-efficient homes
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.
A key ecological feature of the development, the wetland area enhances biodiversity while providing a scenic and peaceful space for the community.
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.”
A dedicated community space within the development where residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables
In line with Curo’s 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 – roughly equivalent to thousands of mature trees absorbing CO₂ over a year. Every home will also include an electric vehicle charging point, supporting greener transport options.
A pedestrian-friendly route at the heart of the development, connecting homes with green spaces.
The scheme includes key infrastructure improvements such as new access arrangements, a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, and phosphate mitigation measures. Curo will also provide significant financial contributions towards education and highway upgrades as part of the planning agreement. Curo acquired the site from Nine Square Trust in November 2023 and expects to start construction in 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.
