A DEVELOPER is preparing plans for 2,500 new homes in Monkton Heathfield.

Several thousands properties are going up in the village and Persimmon Homes South West is the latest scheme.

The company claims it will deliver thousands of jobs and would be an extension to its current Heathfield Gardens scheme in Hardys Road, where 900 houses are being built.

Simon Perks, managing director for Persimmon Homes South West, said he hopes the planning application will be submitted to Taunton Deane Borough Councily before the end of the year, with work starting in 2018.

Mr Perks said: “We are currently working hard to put together a masterplan for this exciting development in Monkton Heathfield.

“The exact layout and the finer details of the project are still to be decided, but we can reveal that we’re looking at 2,500 houses and a commercial area.

“All of the houses will be built on land which has been allocated for much-needed new houses.

“We look forward to sharing more information as the masterplan progresses. There will, of course, be a full consultation period.”

Community answers

Have your say on plans for 2,500 new homes on the outskirts of Taunton

"Persimmon Homes has announced plans to build 2,500 new homes in Monkton Heathfield. What do you think?"

We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.

From Sylvie Sokol

What is your response?Monkton Heathfield is no longer a village with all these addidtion homes going up. I am opposed to an additional 2,500 homes blighting what countryside we have left. No consideration has been given to existing residents in Bathpool that live next to all the new homes and building works. Paths have been left in a poor state of repair, only being patched up following all the new lighting installation along where the new traffic calming measures were installed, since the primary school has been built. The A38 there is in a poor state and they have recently patched up bits of it, which isn't enough and partially blocking out the 30 mile an hour road sign. The whole process has not been thought out, the A38 should have remained closed, far safer. We have already had one serious accident resulting in the road being closed in January where the road narrows, and the bollards have been ripped off by passing traffic. It's not fit for purpose. Cars still come up Bathpool at 40 miles per hour as there is inadequate signage, to then suddenly hit the 20 mile an hour zone. Adding additional housing will only cause further problems and distress to existing Bathpool residents. The new A38 road which cost millions is barely being used and yet has all the safety and sound proofing that we don't have along the still incredibly busy old A38 road in Bathpool. I will be opposing any further expansion as it is ruining our villages. I moved to the older part of Bathpool less than two years ago and thought I was moving to a quite village, how wrong I was, everyday it's, increased building noise and traffic. The amount of cars parking and turning up Brittons Ash due to all the local industry and the new primary school is just ridiculous and it's no longer safe to walk along there with your dog. All in all it's no longer a safe and quiet environment for existing residents in that Bathpool area.

From Ann Lock

What is your response?I live in Monkton Heathfield, we moved from Creech St Michael eight years ago, because we couldn't find a two bedroom bungalow in Creech St Michael where I had lived all my life, we have houses being built all around us. Why can't these developers built some bungalows for the ageing population, a Village for the elderly would be nice, but no that won't happen, not enough revenue . Just keep on building more properties, soon we won't be in the Country.

From Neil Nicholson

What is your response?I will look forward to seeing a major improvement to Creech Castle Crossroads as part of the Section 278 agreement for this development. This is an absolute must considering the queues we currently get in the morning peak period.

From Alex Cox

What is your response?An already congested and in a lot of ways stagnating town is not in need of more housing. It is in need of better infrastructure and business development.

From julie mayo

What is your response?I dont understand why build more homes its silly especially ruinning countryside they dont need new homes in taunton or round taunton Julie

From Community contributor

What is your response?Nw development is getting ridiculous around Taunton. This is Taunton, a town on the decline with no infrastructure and no major employment. Does the council want Taunton to become the largest dormitory in the South West?I suspect these homes are for the 'white' flight' who can't stand the overcorwded South East. Local people cannot afford them.

From Jake Stevens

What is your response?Taunton is a town, the roads are struggling with the population that Taunton has already so building further homes will put further strain on the roads which is ridiculous. Before planning to build all theses new home, a plan needs to be put together regarding improving the roads around Taunton, Musgrove Park Hospital will need more development and funding which isn't happening now and there isn't enough schools in the town to cater for that many new families coming into the area. Before thinking about the pound signs you need to think logically and put sensible plans together rather than jumping the gun and making the problem Taunton already has worse which ultimately will cost the town. These's chiefs making theses decisions needs to use their common sense and think about the current community rather than what they are getting out of it.

Mr Perks added that the development will create around 6,000 direct and indirect jobs over the 10-year build period.

He said: “Heathfield Gardens has been extremely successful. There is a real need for quality new housing in Taunton, and this development will go a long way to addressing that.

“There will also be a proportion of affordable housing on the scheme which will address the housing crisis as highlighted by the National Housing Federation's annual report recently.”