Residents of a once tranquil street in Taunton are now enduring what they describe as “five more years of torture,” as construction intensifies on a major new housing development nearby. The Staplegrove West site, also known as Quantock Park, recently received planning approval for the first phase of 242 homes, part of a larger project encompassing 713 houses, commercial spaces, and a new spine road connecting the A358 Staplegrove Road to Whitmore Lane.
Bloor Homes South West is leading the construction, which also includes an attenuation pond near Rectory Road designed to protect existing properties from flooding. However, local residents, including Carol Pearce of Hillhead Cottages, have raised serious concerns about the impact of the work. Ms. Pearce says contractors are damaging century-old hedges and enveloping homes and gardens in thick red dust, creating a “dust bowl” that chokes foliage and coats vehicles.
The native hedgerow beside Rectory Road is home to a variety of wildlife, including endangered red-listed bird species such as goldfinches, greenfinches, and sparrows. Ms. Pearce fears the hedge is at risk due to the pond construction encroaching too closely. She emphasizes that the destruction of this natural habitat contradicts the commitments made during the planning process.
Bloor Homes acknowledged these complaints and has temporarily scaled back work near the hedgerow while awaiting an ecological assessment. They confirmed the pond excavation aligns with GPS coordinates from approved plans, noting that the hedge’s vegetation has grown closer since the original drawings. An independent ecologist is scheduled to inspect the site to evaluate any environmental impact.
Despite Bloor’s efforts to address concerns raised through community meetings, residents report ongoing issues with noise, vibration, and insufficient dust suppression measures. Ms. Pearce describes the experience as an invasion of daily life, with early morning operations starting at 7 a.m., breaching agreed planning conditions. She stresses that although the community supports the need for housing, residents should not bear the burden of monitoring contractor compliance and environmental safeguards.
In response, Bloor Homes has pledged to intensify dust control by introducing a larger bowser and tractor to better dampen haul roads during the dry weather. Additionally, they plan to nourish the hedge roots and stabilize the embankment once excavation is complete. The company affirmed its openness to community feedback and commitment to mitigating disruption.
As the Staplegrove urban extension progresses, the transformation of this once rural enclave into a vast housing estate signals significant change and ongoing challenges for residents caught in the middle of development.