The controversial decision to approve the construction of 292 new homes in Taunton has sparked outcry among local residents and officials. The housing development, part of the Nerrols Farm project, received approval by a single vote from the Somerset Council’s planning committee. The decision will allow the new phase to progress without a road link to the existing homes, leading to concerns about safety and community impact.
Initially planned in 2010, the Nerrols Farm development aims to deliver approximately 900 homes and a new primary school between Lyngford Lane and the Maidenbrook Country Park in northern Taunton. However, the recent approval for phase three faced significant opposition and delays due to the ongoing phosphates crisis in Somerset.
The absence of a road link between phases two and three has been a point of contention, as it diverges from the initial plans which included extending Rossiter Road to connect the two phases. The developer’s decision to forgo this linkage has raised concerns about traffic management and safety, particularly for children walking to nearby schools. Local residents have expressed fears about the impact of increased traffic and the lack of a coherent community design.
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The planning committee’s narrow vote in favor of the development has been met with criticism, with some alleging that the developer has exerted undue influence on the decision-making process. Concerns about the council being “held to ransom” and accusations of the developer “calling the shots” have amplified the controversy surrounding the approval.
Despite fervent objections, the council faced a daunting prospect of losing a potential appeal against the decision, given the pressure on local authorities to meet housing demands. This practical consideration, along with the lack of objections from statutory consultees, ultimately influenced the committee’s decision.
The approval has revealed deep-seated tensions between the developer’s interests, community welfare, and the council’s responsibilities, sparking widespread debate and discontent within the local area.