More than 2,600 new homes approved for sites across Somerset — including a major scheme in Shepton Mallet — cannot legally proceed due to outstanding Section 106 agreements.

The development at Cannard's Grave Road, which includes 620 homes, a primary school, care home and commercial space, was reapproved by Somerset Council's planning committee east in early January. But legal negotiations with developer C. G. Fry remain "ongoing", preventing construction from starting.

All large housing developments must have a Section 106 agreement in place before work can begin. These legal documents, signed by the council, developer and landowner, secure contributions for local services such as roads, schools and healthcare.

Somerset Council published a full list of affected sites this week ahead of a strategic planning meeting in Taunton. It confirms that 2,694 homes across 11 locations cannot move forward — some delayed by more than a year.

The Shepton Mallet site, on land formerly used for the Mid Somerset Show, is one of the largest schemes on the list and has been earmarked for development for over a decade. No firm start date has been confirmed.

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Original reporting: LDRS/Daniel Mumby