A crucial green wedge shielding Taunton from encroaching development at its southern edge may soon have its future firmly secured as part of Somerset’s forthcoming Local Plan.
The existing Taunton Deane Core Strategy, ratified by the Planning Inspectorate in July 2012 and legally binding until 2028, identified key areas for housing and commercial growth across Taunton, Wellington, Wiveliscombe, and nearby villages. Importantly, it also designated several green wedges – protected landscapes that prevent urban sprawl and preserve the county town’s separation from neighbouring settlements.
One prominent example is the southern green wedge, which separates the Killams Park housing estate from the village of Trull. This green corridor helps maintain the distinct identity and character of these communities by safeguarding open space and natural habitats.
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Following an initial ‘call for sites,’ local residents will have an opportunity to influence the green wedge’s future during the first public consultation on Somerset’s new Local Plan, scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
The Core Strategy commits to “protecting and extending the town’s distinctive green wedges and corridors,” while developing a comprehensive network of green and blue infrastructure to enhance Taunton’s environmental and recreational assets.
The southern green wedge complements existing green spaces such as Vivary Park, providing vital leisure areas and connections via footpaths that link the town centre, local villages, and the Blackdown Hills national landscape.
One footpath running from Killams Park to the Sherford Stream is under consideration for improvement as part of Taunton’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This plan includes creating a ‘red route’—a key car-free corridor stretching from Nerrols Farm in the north, through central Taunton and regeneration sites like Firepool and Coal Orchard, all the way to the Orchard Grove development in the southwest.
Section 106 agreements between Somerset Council and Summerfield Developments have secured funding for walking and cycling enhancements that must be completed as the last homes in Killams Park are occupied. This includes contributions toward constructing a new cycle route connecting Mountfield Road and Sherford Road along the existing footpath.
The council emphasized in August 2024 that it is currently exploring viable projects to improve pedestrian and cycling links in south Taunton funded through this agreement.
Beyond these pathways, the green wedge is accessible via the East Deane Way circular footpath. This trail weaves through Vivary Park and the town centre before following the Sherford Stream southward, eventually entering a protected conservation area and connecting directly to the village of Trull at Church Walk – conveniently near local amenities such as the church, school, and Winchester Arms pub.
As housing developments like Orchard Grove advance and government housing targets for Somerset rise significantly, safeguarding and enhancing these green wedges is more critical than ever. They help prevent urban sprawl and protect the rural character that defines the region.
The initial call for sites closed on February 24, with planning officers now reviewing submissions from landowners, developers, and promoters. Two more rounds of public consultations on the draft Local Plan will be held in April 2026 and October 2027, accompanied by public events to gather community feedback.
The finalized Local Plan, including policies on green spaces, is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by January 2028, with public hearings following. Provided all goes smoothly, Somerset Council aims to adopt the new plan by March 2029—shortly after the current Taunton Deane Core Strategy expires.
This process offers a vital chance for residents to help shape Taunton’s growth while ensuring its treasured green wedges continue to protect the environment and community identity for years to come.