More than 200 new homes are set to be built in Taunton, Somerset’s county town, as part of the expansive Orchard Grove development, despite some local councillors expressing concerns over the appearance and parking provisions of the new houses. The project, located between the A38 Wellington Road in Comeytrowe and Honiton Road near Trull, is being delivered by the Orchard Grove Consortium—including Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and LiveWest—and will eventually comprise 2,000 homes, alongside community amenities.
The site already includes a primary school and a ‘park and bus’ facility, with ongoing construction of commercial spaces and a 68-bed care home near the western entrance. Recently, Somerset Council approved plans for an additional 209 homes within the central part of the development, flanking Egremont Road.
Taylor Wimpey’s proposal, the larger of the two, will introduce 165 homes ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses. Notably, 27 percent of these will be affordable homes, with supplementary funding from Homes England supporting increased affordable housing provision above the initial planning agreement.
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LiveWest’s smaller plan encompasses 44 homes south of the main road, adjacent to Lipe Hill Lane, including 61 percent affordable housing spanning one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom townhouses.
The council aimed to finalize these approvals ahead of new phosphate mitigation rules linked to the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act. This urgency pushed the proposals to Taunton’s planning committee west, responsible for major decisions in the former Somerset West and Taunton area.
While some councillors welcomed the development, design elements drew criticism. Councillor Andy Hadley expressed worries about the “climbing wall” brick pattern on certain homes, which could pose security risks if used for climbing. Fellow councillor Steven Pugsley was notably critical, likening parts of the brickwork to the look of a Sheffield car park and describing it as “unpleasant.”
Conversely, Councillor Habib Farbahi saw potential for Orchard Grove to become a flagship community, disputing Pugsley’s comparison and highlighting positive views expressed by residents familiar with Sheffield.
Local councillors also raised practical concerns. Councillor Nick O’Donnell suggested more tree planting on green verges to prevent residents parking their cars on these spaces and damaging the landscape. Meanwhile, Councillor Dave Mansell criticized the choice to heat homes with gas boilers instead of air source heat pumps, citing climate emergency commitments and the energy-saving benefits of heat pumps.
Despite varied opinions, the Taylor Wimpey plans passed with six votes in favor, two against, and one abstention, while LiveWest’s proposals were approved by a seven-to-one majority with one abstention.
The Orchard Grove development continues to transform Taunton’s housing landscape, aiming to balance growth with community and environmental considerations.