Eight major Taunton and West Somerset housing developments that could be approved in lockdown

The coronavirus has made it difficult for planning decisions to be taken in public through committees – which in turn has made its harder for residents to make their voices heard.

Following recent guidance from central government, planning committees will still be able to meet virtually – either to make decisions themselves or to make a recommendation to the chief executive, who will formally make the decision.

With the government determined that as many functions of local government carry on as normal during the crisis, there are numerous applications for large or decent-sized developments across the district which could be approved before the meeting restrictions are lifted.

Here are eight major developments which could be approved while the current emergency measures are in place:

Lyngford Lane in Taunton (347 homes): it has been nearly a year since plans to develop this site were put forward jointly by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes. Located not far from the Nerrols Farm primary school, the site will see a new roundabout created at the junction with Cheddon Road, with Lyngford Lane to the south being closed off. Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained, so parents living on the new site will be able to walk or cycle to school with their children

Jurston Farm in Wellington (phase three – 190 homes): outline permission was given to C. G. Fry in November 2015 to build 650 homes and a new primary school at this site in Wellington. Revised plans for the third phase, comprising 190 homes at the north-western edge of the site, were submitted in late-2019. The development will ultimately be built in seven phases – but with the new school welcoming pupils from September 2020, it may not be long before this next block of homes is approved

Cheddon Road in Taunton (180 homes): Gladman Developments was originally refused permission for 180 homes on this site in July 2019, with the council’s planning committee ruling it would damage the natural environment and was outside the Taunton settlement boundary. The developer submitted the same plans for the same number of homes in October (though it has not appealed the original decision). The council was due to make a decision by February, but this has been pushed back

Staplegrove West urban extension in Taunton (phase one – 173 homes):  more than 1,600 homes will end up being built within the Staplegrove urban extension, which was approved in two parts in October 2017 – Staplegrove West (713 homes) and Staplegrove East (915 homes). These revised plans by Redrow Homes are for the first 173 homes on the western site, with a portion of the spine road that will eventually link the A358 to Kingston Road. A temporary road for construction traffic will be created off Corkscrew Lane – much to the chagrin of local residents

Cleeve Hill in Watchet (136 homes): plans for these homes at Watchet’s western edge were discussed by the council’s planning committee on January 30. The proposals (which involve re-aligning the existing coast road) were deferred for more information after locals raised concerns the development could accelerate coastal erosion. The council has not indicated how soon the plans will come back for a final decision

Hartnells Farm in Monkton Heathfield, Taunton (phases two and three – 105 homes): The Hartnells Farm development of up to 320 homes was approved by Taunton Deane Borough Council in November as part of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension. A total of 129 homes were provided in phase one (the central part of the site), with the remaining phases set to bring the total up to 234.  Following a decision by the Planning Inspectorate in April 2018, the developers will not have to pay any money towards the western relief road serving the Monkton Heathfield area

Sandys Moor in Wiveliscombe (94 homes): outline permission for 94 homes and light industrial units was granted by the council to Summerfield Developments in December 2019. The revised plans for the homes have been brought forward by a new developer (Barratt Homes), with access being onto Sandys Moor rather than the main B3227. The employment units – including one of Somerset County Council’s rural enterprise centres – will be brought forward separately

Comeytrowe urban extension in Taunton (phase one – 70 homes): Taylor Wimpey has put forward plans for the first phase of the Comeytrowe urban extension, which will eventually provide 2,000 homes and a new primary school between the A38 Wellington Road and Honiton Road in Trull. The council approved plans for the new spine road running through the western side of the development on March 12 – including a new ‘park and bus’ facility near the A38. With the commitment to deliver infrastructure now in place, the council could make a decision as early as April 27