150 new homes could soon be built in Somerset town if revised plans are passed

Construction of 150 new homes on the southern edge of Crewkerne could soon begin if revised plans are approved.

James Tizzard of Land Value Alliances LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in July 2020 to build up to 150 homes on land between Kithill and the railway line at the southern edge of Crewkerne. Tilia Homes Ltd., to whom the land was sold, put forward detailed proposals in July 2022 for the first phase of the new development, comprising 89 properties.

South Somerset District Council refused permission for this first phase in January, arguing the plans will result in “cramped over-development” with unsafe play areas. Now the Exeter-based developer has put forward revised plans for the entire development (which has been dubbed Maple Grove), with a decision being expected from Somerset Council later in the year.

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The site lies north of the railway line and a short distance from Cathole Bridge Road – which forms part of a rat run between the railway station and the A30 to Chard, and has been branded a “death trap” by district councillors. Access to the new homes would be from Lang Road, with a new junction being created opposite the existing access to Manor Road.

The new homes will be concentrated at the northern edge of the site, near the existing homes on Kithill, with the land tapering down to the railway line being preserved as public open space. Of the 150 new homes, 53 will be affordable, with a total of 393 parking spaces being provided within the site, including 33 visitor spaces.

The existing public footpaths between Lang Road and the A356 Station Road will be maintained, providing the new residents with a direct pedestrian link to the railway station, which has hourly services to Yeovil and Axminster.

A spokesman for Grainge Architects (representing the developer) said: “The proposals offer an appropriate relationship with existing dwellings, with back-to-back distances in excess of 20 metres throughout.

“All development in proximity to existing dwellings is of the same scale, and hence not overbearing. With regard to future residents, garden sizes have all been improved, and the site has been structured as perimeter blocks throughout, ensuring secure private boundaries and overlooked public realm.”

Tilia Homes recently completed work on the Bunford Heights site on the A30 West Coker Road in Yeovil, and is currently constructing both the Snowdon Grange development on the B3162 Forton Road in Chard and the Knights Meadow development on the A357 Slades Hill in Templecombe.

Crewkerne is set to expand rapidly in the coming years, with multiple sites on its southern and eastern edges being at various stage of development.

In addition to the Maple Grove site, Taylor Wimpey is currently constructing the first phase of the Wool Gardens development, which will eventually deliver 635 new homes (along with commercial space and a care home) on the Crewkerne Key Site, between the A30 Yeovil Road and the A356 Station Road.

Place Land LLP has teased proposals for up to 300 further homes on the western side of Station Road, as well as local shops and more car parking for Crewkerne railway station – but a formal planning application has yet to be submitted.

The council is expected to make a decision on the Lang Road plans by the end of the year.

It is not presently clear whether this decision will come before the council’s planning committee south (which makes decisions on major applications for the former South Somerset area) or whether it will be made through the delegated powers of its planning officers.

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