After more than eight years of planning disputes, Gladman Developments has finally received approval to build 112 new homes on land adjacent to Pyrland Farm, off Cheddon Road, on the northern edge of Taunton, Somerset.
The developer first submitted plans in November 2017, initially proposing 180 homes. These plans were rejected by Taunton Deane Borough Council in July 2019. Subsequent revisions reduced the number to 150 homes, then further down to 112 after prolonged discussions with planning officers.
In early November 2025, frustrated by delays, Gladman appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. Shortly before Christmas, Somerset Council’s planning committee indicated it would have approved the plans if given more time. Ultimately, the Planning Inspectorate granted outline approval, though construction is unlikely to begin for at least another year.
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Originally allocated for residential development in the 2012 Taunton Deane Core Strategy, the site was expected to accommodate up to 45 homes. The new proposal nearly triples that figure, with 28 of the homes designated as affordable housing, addressing significant local demand.
Key infrastructure improvements will accompany the development. A new access road will be constructed at the western end of Cheddon Road, along with pedestrian access onto Lyngford Lane, close to the nearby Nerrols Farm development, which received approval in April 2025. Financial contributions exceeding £1.6 million will support local schools—including special needs provision—and over £50,000 will enhance GP surgeries, which are currently operating over capacity.
The scheme also includes enhancements to walking and cycling routes along Cheddon Road, tying into the wider Taunton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Inspector Cullum Parker, who visited the site in February 2026, highlighted the importance of these active travel improvements to mitigate the impact of additional traffic and pedestrian movement.
While acknowledging concerns about local services and the strain on already busy GP surgeries, Parker deemed the NHS funding secured from the development acceptable and aligned with national standards. He also addressed traffic and road safety issues, noting Cheddon Road’s narrowness and limited footpaths but concluding that financial contributions from the development would adequately mitigate these issues. He ruled out highway safety as a valid reason to refuse the plans.
One of the major challenges delaying approval was the need for phosphate mitigation; the site lies within the sensitive River Tone catchment, which drains into the Somerset Levels and Moors. Gladman plans to purchase phosphate credits from WCI, a local environmental firm, and implement sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) to manage flood risks. The inspector confirmed these measures meet the required environmental standards.
Despite concerns about building on the county’s best agricultural land, Parker found no policy basis to reject development on these grounds, especially weighed against the pressing need for affordable housing in the area.
The next step requires Gladman to submit a reserved matters application detailing the design and layout of the homes. Construction will be carefully coordinated with the adjacent Nerrols Farm development to minimize congestion and disruption in the area.
With planning approval secured, the long-awaited development promises to help ease Taunton’s housing shortage and provide vital affordable homes, bringing a close to a protracted planning saga.