Staplegrove Road, a key route in Taunton, is set for significant widening to enable the development of over 1,600 new homes as part of the Staplegrove urban extension. This major project will deliver 1,628 homes, employment land, and a new primary school, situated between the A358 Staplegrove Road and Taunton Road on the north-western edge of Somerset’s county town.
Access to the western section of the development, which includes 713 homes and employment space, will be provided via a new junction just east of the Silk Mills roundabout. To facilitate this, Staplegrove Road will undergo substantial widening, necessitating the construction of a large retaining wall to protect adjacent properties.
The design of the new junction was approved as part of the outline planning permission granted by Taunton Deane Borough Council in October 2017. Bloor Homes South West, responsible for the Staplegrove West development, has begun clearing the site and removing vegetation after securing dormouse licenses from Natural England.
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Significant earthworks will reshape the northern side of the road to accommodate the initial section of the spine road running through the site, considering the land’s steep gradient. To improve traffic flow toward Silk Mills and routes to the park and ride and Williton, the westbound A358 will be widened with additional lanes and new shared pedestrian and cycle paths.
To make room, the existing verge and footpath will be removed, requiring the clearance of some trees near the Grove Gate and Nash Green estates. A substantial retaining wall—up to 4.5 meters tall—will be constructed along the southern edge of Staplegrove Road between Mill Rise and Nash Green. The wall will be landscaped with vegetation to blend with the surroundings over time.
The Nash Green footpath will remain open and be enhanced with new steps and a ramp leading to Mill Rise. However, concerns were raised by local councillors during the Somerset Council planning committee meeting on June 24, especially regarding the stability of trees left perched above the retaining wall and the loss of the tree belt affecting Taunton’s ‘garden town’ status.
Councillors also emphasized the need to delay construction to avoid overlapping with ongoing roadworks, notably on Silk Mills Road, and minimize disruption to residents and bus services. Wales & West Utilities has been upgrading gas mains in the area since March to enhance infrastructure reliability.
With increased traffic caused by the closure of M5 junction 26 and related roadworks, the timing and management of Staplegrove Road improvements are critical. Local officials stressed the importance of coordinated construction to reduce congestion and maintain public transport access.
Bloor Homes will fully fund the spine road construction, following the withdrawal of a £14.2 million government housing infrastructure fund in early June. Under revised planning permission approved in December 2024, the developer will also contribute £3.2 million to walking and cycling routes in line with Taunton’s local infrastructure plans.
Despite some reservations, the planning committee unanimously approved the junction and retaining wall plans. The council will announce construction start dates soon via its roadworks portal, with work anticipated to begin in September or October to minimize overlap with other projects.