Plans to build 230 homes north of the A30 Crewkerne Road in Chard have been approved for the second time despite ongoing pedestrian safety concerns along this busy route. Gladman Developments initially secured outline permission in January 2025 for the site, which is expected to contribute to the long-awaited Eastern Relief Road (ERR).
At a recent Somerset Council planning committee meeting in Yeovil, Gladman presented revised proposals focusing on alternative pedestrian access to the new housing development. The committee unanimously supported the revised plans on the condition that a safe pedestrian link along the A30 is installed before any residents move in.
The development site is situated at the eastern gateway of Chard, sandwiched between the A30 and the Oaklands estate, near the Chard Reservoir visitors’ car park. Access will be via a new junction on Crewkerne Road, extending to Avishayes Road with potential future linkage to Broad Road.
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Of the 230 homes planned, 81 will be affordable properties, meeting the 35% affordable housing target for the former South Somerset area.
The original approval required Gladman to provide a pedestrian path west of the access point along Crewkerne Road to link with existing footpaths leading into the town centre. However, extensive discussions revealed this route was “not technically feasible” without severely restricting A30 traffic flow.
As an alternative, Gladman proposed a pedestrian link from the northwestern corner of the site directly to Oaklands Avenue. This route would provide access to local facilities including Avishayes Community Primary School and the One Stop shop.
However, there are concerns that foregoing the footpath along the A30 could jeopardize future development south of the A30, including segments of the ERR. Stephen Bainbridge of Greenslade Taylor Hunt emphasized that securing the A30 footpath is vital for maintaining pedestrian connectivity and supporting broader local plan objectives.
The ERR, according to the South Somerset Local Plan, is designed to link the A358 Tatworth Road with the A358 Furnham Road, crossing major roads including the A30 Crewkerne Road. The plan anticipates phased delivery aligned with new housing developments.
Some local residents and councillors expressed worries about increased traffic through residential areas and questioned the feasibility of completing the full ERR route. Daryl Sturrock, a local resident, called for greater transparency on the ERR route and raised safety concerns over traffic near the reservoir.
Councillors highlighted challenges related to land ownership and development sequencing, affecting connectivity and pedestrian access. There is an ongoing opportunity to purchase land that could allow a more direct pedestrian route, but as of now, this remains unresolved.
Despite these concerns, the council committee voted unanimously to approve the development, with the critical condition that Gladman provide a pedestrian pathway along the A30 prior to occupancy.
Further details on the design and layout of the homes are expected later this year through a reserved matters application.