The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission. Reason: In accordance with the provisions of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990 ( as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004).

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the approved plans listed in schedule A. Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

The development shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted flood risk assessment (ref. Site Flood Risk Assessment by Harcombe Environmental Services Ltd, dated 21 November 2025, ref. 2510-02 Highbridge Watchfield Baldwins Ln, RES/NB) and the following measures it details: ground floor finished floor levels shall be set no lower than 6.00 metres above Ordnance Datum (AOD) first floor (safe refuge) finished floor levels shall be set no lower than 8.65 metres above Ordnance Datum (AOD). These mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to first occupation and subsequently in accordance with the scheme's timing/phasing arrangements. The measures detailed above shall be retained and maintained thereafter throughout the lifetime of the development. Reason: To reduce the risk of flooding to the proposed development and future occupants in accordance with Sedgemoor Local Plan policy D1.

If any unforeseen contamination is found during excavations, the Local Planning Authority shall be notified immediately. Where remediation is deemed necessary by the Local Planning Authority, a remediation scheme shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and then implemented in accordance with the submitted details. Reason: To ensure that the land is suitable for the intended uses and to ensure that the development can be carried out safely without unacceptable risks to human health, controlled waters and other receptors both onsite and offsite, in accordance with Policies D24 and D25 of the Sedgemoor Local Plan and section11 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Prior to first occupation of either dwelling hereby approved, the proposed access over its first 6m of its length, as measured from the edge of the adjoining carriageway, shall be properly consolidated and surfaced (not loose stone or gravel). Such provision shall be retained in that fashion thereafter. Reason: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 Policies D13 and D14.

Prior to first occupation of either dwelling hereby approved, Provision shall be made within the site for disposal of surface water so as to prevent its discharge on to the highway. Such provision shall be retained in that fashion thereafter. Reason: In the interest of highway safety in accordance with Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 Policies D13 and D14.

Prior to the installation of any external lighting, a lighting design for bats, following Guidance Note 08/23 - bats and artificial lighting at night (ILP and BCT 2023), shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The design shall show how and where external lighting will be installed so that it can be clearly demonstrated that areas to be lit will not disturb or prevent bats from using their territory or having access to their breeding sites and resting place. All external lighting shall be installed in accordance with the specifications and locations set out in the design, and these shall be maintained thereafter in accordance with the design. Under no circumstances should any other external lighting be installed without prior consent from the Local Planning Authority. Reason: In the interests of the 'Favourable Conservation Status' of populations of European protected species and in accordance with Sedgemoor District Council Local Plan: Policy D20 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity.

No development approved by this permission shall be commenced until a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The plan shall subsequently be implemented in accordance with the approved details for the duration of the construction period. For the avoidance of doubt, the CEMP shall include the following measures: The implementation of appropriate dust suppression measures to prevent dust deposition into the watercourse; The prevention of surface water run-off and accidental spillages of fuels, oils, detergents, cement washings and other pollutants entering the watercourse; The use of suitably bunded and secure storage areas for fuels, oils and chemicals, including during refuelling operations; The immediate containment and clean-up of any spillages; and The maintenance of a minimum 10m protection buffer adjacent to the watercourse, within which no storage of materials, plant, spoil, chemicals or refuelling activities shall occur. Reason: This is a pre-commencement condition to prevent pollution of the water environment and In the interests of maintaining the favourable conservation status of European and UK protected species and supporting habitats and species of principal importance under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, and in accordance with Policies D20 and D24 of the Sedgemoor District Local Plan.

The development hereby approved shall be implemented and maintained in full accordance with the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) provided by Quantock Ecology Ltd dated 11th June 2026. Reason: In the interests of the strict protection of UK protected and priority species and in accordance with Sedgemoor District Council Local Plan: Policy D20 - Biodiversity and Geodiversity.

The following biodiversity enhancement measures will be provided at the development site prior to first occupation of either dwelling hereby approved: An integrated bat box installed at least four metres above ground level and away from windows, on the south and/or west facing elevations and maintained thereafter. An integrated bird box (such as a swift brick or sparrow terrace) directly under the eaves and away from windows on the north and/or east elevations and maintained thereafter. Any new fencing must have accessible hedgehog holes, measuring 13cm x 13cm to allow the movement of hedgehogs into and out of the site A bee brick built into the wall about 1 metre above ground level on the south or east elevation. Please note bee bricks attract solitary bees which do not sting. Creation and establishment of a wetland meadow alongside the rhyne bank comprised of a species-rich wetland meadow seed mixture will be sown and established along the rhyne bank to enhance botanical diversity, provide foraging and sheltering habitat for pollinators and other invertebrates, and improve habitat connectivity within the site. The meadow will be managed through an appropriate cutting regime to encourage the long-term development and persistence of a diverse wetland plant community. Once installed, the biodiversity enhancement measures shall thereafter be retained. Reason: In accordance with Government policy for the enhancement of biodiversity within development as set out the National Planning Policy Framework.

The dwellings hereby permitted shall be planned, built and first occupied in accordance with the definition of 'self-build and custom housebuilding' as defined in the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (as amended) and as the sole or main residence of a person on the Council's Self Build Register. Reason: Development in this location is only considered acceptable on the basis that it meets an identified need for self or custom build development in accordance with Sedgemoor Local Plan 2011-2032 Policies CO2 and D9.