The former cattle market in Yeovil town centre could be transformed into as many as 100 new homes if the site is included in the new Somerset Local Plan, which will guide development until 2045.
Somerset Council launches public consultation
Somerset Council has begun the first phase of public consultation on its new Somerset Local Plan, which will determine where new housing and employment sites are designated over the next two decades. As part of the process, the council published the results of its housing and employment land availability assessment (HELAA), which identifies every site submitted during the 'call for sites' in early 2025.
The former cattle market, located south of the A30 Reckleford and Market Street, is among the sites included in the HELAA. Local councillors suggest it could accommodate up to 100 new properties.
Councillors highlight potential
Councillors Mike Hewitson and Oliver Patrick, who represent the Coker division near Yeovil, highlighted the issue in their latest monthly newsletter. They stated: "Councils are required to have up to date Local Plans in order to demonstrate how they are delivering central government housing targets for their area. The HELAA process sits as a first stage in the wider Local Plan site selection process. It does not allocate sites or grant them planning permission or planning status of any kind."
The cattle market was previously designated as a principal regeneration location within the Yeovil Refresh scheme, launched by South Somerset District Council with £9.75m from the then-Conservative government's future high streets fund. After the Labour government took office in July 2024, the programme was restructured to focus remaining funds on the Glovers Walk site and smaller projects. The cattle market component was formally scrapped in August 2024, along with proposed improvements to the Poundland outlet at 72-74 Middle Street.
Site owners submit land for consideration
Hewitson and Patrick added: "The owners of the cattle market have submitted their land for consideration in the Local Plan. They have indicated it could accommodate approximately 100 homes. Could we finally see this major brownfield site finally come forward for redevelopment?"
In their formal evaluation, Somerset Council's planning officers deemed the cattle market "potentially suitable" for inclusion as a "regeneration site" where central government funding could unlock new homes. They noted: "The site has been promoted for housing development and therefore is not considered available for economic development. The site is adjacent to multiple highways, so it is assumed that access could be taken from multiple points. The promoter has identified a few common constraints but anticipates that they can be overcome."
Timeline for Local Plan adoption
A summary of the consultation responses is due in early November 2026, with the second consultation round expected in September 2027. The third and final round is scheduled for March 2028, after which the plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. If all proceeds, the new Local Plan will be formally adopted on March 16, 2029.
