Plans to develop the former Millers Garage site on A30 East Street in Crewkerne, Somerset, have been approved, paving the way for 44 new homes and a 67-space car park in the town centre. The site, owned by South Somerset District Council since 2014 after a £225,000 purchase, has been the subject of redevelopment discussions for over a decade.
Initially, the council sought to build a standalone 60-space car park to complement the nearby Henhayes car park, securing planning permission in 2019. However, in November 2022, senior councillors shifted direction to combine housing and parking development through Stonewater housing association. The original proposal included 50 homes and a 75-space car park but was later amended by Somerset Council—the successor to South Somerset District Council—to 44 homes and a separate 67-space car park without direct access to Henhayes, aiming to mitigate traffic issues.
The updated plans were approved on April 21 by the council’s South Planning Committee despite concerns raised by residents about potential traffic congestion and a desire for increased green space. The development will widen the existing access onto the A30 to improve traffic flow for current residents of Wyvern Court and future occupants. An extension of the 20mph speed limit in the area is under consideration to enhance safety, though this requires a separate consultation.
READ MORE: Yeovil Town Chairman Outlines Ambitious Vision in Open Letter to Fans
READ MORE: Plan for Parking Charges in Clevedon Axed After Legal Threat
A new pedestrian and cycle route will run along the southern edge of the site, connecting to existing footpaths that lead through Crewkerne Business Park to the A356 South Street. Out of the 44 homes, 16 will be affordable housing, fulfilling the council’s policy requiring 35% affordable units in developments exceeding ten homes in the former South Somerset area.
Stonewater will contribute over £160,000 towards local services: approximately £131,000 will enhance public open spaces around Crewkerne, and the remaining £29,000 will fund expansions to local GP surgeries, complementing recent multi-million pound upgrades to Crewkerne Health Centre.
Despite these benefits, local opposition voiced significant concerns. Resident Pat Lunt highlighted a petition bearing 1,500 signatures advocating for a public park on the site, arguing that development contradicts the Local Plan’s focus on growth at the Wool Gardens site and expressing fears about increased traffic speeds. Fletcher Robinson of CPRE Somerset emphasized the site’s potential as valuable open green space adjoining the recreation ground, advocating for a park with natural features and walking paths that would serve as an accessible leisure area lacking in the town centre.
Julie Chant from the Space4Crewkerne group criticized the pay-and-display nature of the new car park and raised questions about land use for drainage infrastructure, stressing the need for strict enforcement of planning conditions to ensure timely delivery.
Councillors also debated the proposal’s impact on local traffic. Councillor Steve Ashton warned that the new access could worsen congestion similar to problems at other busy junctions. Conversely, Councillor Tim Kerley defended the development’s necessity, emphasizing the pressing demand for social housing in Somerset and noting a lack of substantial grounds for refusal that would hold up on appeal.
After thorough debate, the council committee approved the plans by a vote of eight to two, with one abstention, authorizing this significant transformation of the Crewkerne town centre site.