A crucial decision on the long-anticipated housing development at Monkton Heathfield in Taunton has been postponed until spring 2026, as unresolved highways issues and financial viability concerns continue to stall progress.
In December 2021, Persimmon Homes South West and Redrow Homes jointly submitted plans for phase two of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension. This ambitious project aims to deliver over 1,400 new homes along Taunton’s north-eastern outskirts, coupled with employment zones, a new combined primary and secondary school, and a new relief road to ease local traffic.
Despite initial expectations for an earlier decision, the planning process has encountered multiple delays since September 2022. Throughout this period, extensive negotiations between developers and council planning officers have led to changes in the masterplan. Still, key issues remain unresolved.
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Council planning officers revealed that the delay stems from ongoing concerns about the overall financial viability of the development and the extensive new road infrastructure required to connect the homes to Taunton. These infrastructure elements are critical for ensuring the development’s long-term success but have complicated planning obligations.
Phase one of Monkton Heathfield is mostly complete, including the western relief road linking to the A3259. However, much of the designated employment land between the A38 and the M5 remains undeveloped. In 2019, Taunton Deane Borough Council allowed some of this land’s potential conversion into additional housing.
The latest plans feature 1,450 homes, nearly five hectares of employment land, a unique ‘through’ school combining primary and secondary education, a district centre with local shops, a mobility hub, and a new eastern relief road connecting to the A38.
At a recent council planning committee meeting, Simon Fox, the county’s major projects planning officer, updated members on the situation. Acknowledging the continued delays, he said, “With it being a month ’til Christmas, I thought I’d bring you an early present – not a good present, though.” He explained that while initial hopes were to revisit the plans earlier, it became clear that detailed resolution of the highways package and financial negotiations would extend the timeline.
Fox emphasized that the extensive infrastructure requirements and financial discussions have been conducted amicably, reflecting a collective effort to overcome the challenges. He assured that a decision on the application will be presented in the upcoming spring session.
Since the last committee review in November 2024, Persimmon Homes South West and Charles Church received permission to build 90 homes on the northern edge of the development, underlining ongoing but incremental progress.
Council members voted unanimously to defer the decision until spring 2026, with the understanding that these complex but vital issues require thorough resolution to ensure the project’s feasibility and benefit to Taunton’s growth.