Significant progress has been made in establishing a community hub within Taunton’s largest new housing estate, Orchard Grove, thanks to a commitment from Taunton Town Council.
Situated between the A38 Wellington Road in Comeytrowe and Honiton Road near Trull, Orchard Grove is a major development comprising 2,000 homes. The project is being delivered by the Orchard Grove Consortium, which includes Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and LiveWest.
Already, residents benefit from a newly opened primary school and a ‘park and bus’ facility on site, with ongoing construction for commercial spaces and a 68-bed care home near the estate’s western entrance. A ‘civic square’ off Egremont Road recently opened on July 11, adding to the community infrastructure.
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However, Somerset Council planning officers have previously indicated that shops and community hubs within Orchard Grove’s designated ‘local centre’ would likely not be viable until approximately 1,000 homes are completed. Similarly, the development of a secondary school is not expected until around 2030.
To address this gap, Taunton Town Council has committed £25,000 to conduct a feasibility study exploring the establishment of a community hub within the estate’s local centre over the next few years. This area lies along Egremont Road in Orchard Grove’s western neighbourhood, surrounded by 209 newly approved homes.
Senior planning officer Simon Fox explained that current population levels within the estate are too low to support local shops or services, as the site functions somewhat like a cul-de-sac without sufficient passing traffic. The feasibility study will examine local needs, land requirements, potential designs, costs, funding avenues, and planning permission processes.
Councillor Nick O’Donnell, who chairs the town council’s operations and assets committee, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “This demonstrates our commitment to planning for the future while making practical improvements that benefit residents today. The Orchard Grove feasibility study is an important step in understanding how we can provide the community facilities that a growing neighbourhood needs.”
Currently, Orchard Grove residents access community spaces primarily by driving, using the park and bus facility, or walking and cycling into Taunton town centre. A designated walking and cycling route forms part of the ‘blue route’ in the Taunton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), connecting residents safely through Comeytrowe and alongside Musgrove Park Hospital into the town centre.
Somerset Council recently held a consultation on plans to transform part of Comeytrowe Road into a ‘green lane’ to promote walking and cycling by restricting motor traffic. The consultation closed on March 17, with findings expected before the end of the summer, which will help inform future improvements in the area.