Taylor Wimpey Exeter has confirmed it remains fully committed to completing the Wool Gardens housing development in Crewkerne, Somerset, despite recently withdrawing plans for a temporary haul road. The project, located on the Crewkerne Key Site between the A30 Yeovil Road and the A356 Station Road, will ultimately feature 635 homes, commercial spaces, and a 66-bed care home.
With 110 homes already constructed at the southern end off Station Road, the developer is now focusing on delivering the first homes on the northern section. In June, Somerset Council approved a delay in building the Crewkerne Link Road (CLR) until nearly 200 homes are occupied. The haul road—which would have facilitated construction logistics across the site—was originally proposed but has since been canceled due to an adjusted build strategy.
Taylor Wimpey Exeter reassures residents and council officials that it will continue to deliver the wider development, including vital pedestrian and cycling infrastructure for safe access, particularly near Wadham School. The developer is pursuing approval for altered CLR phasing, planning to construct the route from north to south, with signalised junctions at both access points. The Yeovil Road junction must be operational before any home in the northern sector is occupied.
A company spokesperson stated, “We will undertake the CLR works working from a north to south direction, using material from the northern part of the site to build up levels in the creation of the CLR road. It is a provision within the Section 106 agreement that the whole of the CLR road needs to be completed prior to the 200th occupation, or within four years of the first occupation.”
Currently, access for residents in the southern phase relies on Blacknell Lane industrial estate routes to reach the town centre and local amenities. With the haul road withdrawn, Taylor Wimpey Exeter confirmed that the temporary route is no longer necessary, and the CLR will be constructed concurrently with the homes.
“We remain fully committed to delivering our Wool Gardens site, including fulfilling our Section 106 contributions and delivering the proposed relief road,” the spokesperson added. “Safe access to the northern site for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists will be provided as soon as possible, and tree removals remain as previously approved.”
Somerset Council also confirmed that the withdrawal of the haul road application will have no impact on the overall development, which continues as planned.