Taylor Wimpey Exeter has reaffirmed its full commitment to completing the Wool Gardens housing development in Crewkerne, Somerset, following the withdrawal of plans for a temporary haul road. The large-scale project will ultimately comprise 635 homes, commercial space, and a 66-bed care home situated between the A30 Yeovil Road and A356 Station Road.
The southern portion of the site, featuring 110 homes off Station Road, is nearly finished. The focus is now shifting to constructing the first homes in the northern section. In June, Somerset Council approved a delay in building the Crewkerne Link Road (CLR) until nearly 200 homes are occupied. The CLR is vital for connecting the two halves of the community with signalised junctions at both entrances.
Earlier concerns arose when Taylor Wimpey Exeter withdrew its reserved matters application for a temporary haul road intended to facilitate construction between the northern and southern areas. However, the developer clarified that it has revised its building strategy and will construct the Crewkerne Link Road simultaneously with the homes, rendering the haul road unnecessary.
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Under current planning permissions, up to 110 homes can be built in the northern phase before further phases require approval. A separate application for the remaining 415 homes is under consideration. The developer intends to begin CLR construction starting from the Station Road junction, pending approvals from Somerset Council’s planning and highways departments.
Residents currently accessing the southern end of the estate rely on routes via Blacknell Lane industrial estate to reach the town centre and railway station. Taylor Wimpey Exeter has committed to delivering the necessary walking and cycling improvements to ensure safe access for vehicles and pedestrians near Wadham School.
The developer confirmed adherence to obligations outlined in the Section 106 agreement, which requires the CLR’s full completion before the 200th home is occupied or within four years of first occupation. Additionally, no trees beyond those permitted in the outline planning consent will be removed during construction.
A Somerset Council spokesperson emphasized that the withdrawn haul road application does not affect the progress of the overall development, which is proceeding as planned.