Developers at Taunton’s largest housing project, Orchard Grove, have confirmed they do not intend to install street lighting along a significant pedestrian and cycling route in the development. The Orchard Grove site, located between the A38 Wellington Road and Honiton Road, is planned to eventually include 2,000 homes, alongside commercial spaces, a primary school, a care home, and a park-and-ride facility.
Lipe Hill Lane, running through the site’s western edge, was recently closed to vehicles to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist access. This route connects to Egremont Road, which traverses the middle of the Orchard Grove development. Local resident Jo Taswell, who uses this path daily for her commute to Musgrove Park Hospital, has voiced concerns about the lack of lighting, particularly during darker months when the lane is pitch black and potentially unsafe.
Despite community requests, the Orchard Grove consortium—including Taylor Wimpey, Bovis Homes, Linden Homes, and LiveWest—has declined to install lighting along Lipe Hill Lane. The consortium cites the need to protect local wildlife, specifically bats and dormice, which are highly sensitive to artificial light. The lane is part of the ‘blue route’ in the Taunton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), connecting Orchard Grove to the town centre through key areas such as the hospital and Monkton Heathfield.
READ MORE: Badminton Ace Daniel Bethell Credits Return to Bath for Renewed Drive Toward Paralympic Gold
READ MORE: Should Keir Starmer Take a Tougher Stance on Donald Trump?
Another local resident, Judy Stainthorpe, explained that lighting cannot be added on Lipe Hill Lane without negatively affecting bat habitats. She noted that alternative, lit pedestrian and cycle paths are planned as part of the next phase of development near Hortsbridge Park and the nearby water retention basin.
The Orchard Grove consortium reaffirmed their commitment to pedestrian safety by outlining plans for two fully lit and safe pedestrian and cycle routes nearby. One route, currently under construction, is adjacent to a bus gate on the community’s eastern edge and is expected to be completed and fully lit by the end of the year. The other route, to be developed within Hortsbridge Park, is undergoing further design considerations.
Somerset Council also acknowledged that lighting along Lipe Hill Lane was discussed during the original planning stages but was rejected due to environmental concerns. Basic lighting is provided at key intersections within the development, and in the short term, a lit bus gate junction offers an alternative for safe travel.
Ultimately, the Orchard Grove project aims to encourage sustainable and safe travel through carefully planned infrastructure, balancing community needs with ecological preservation.