Construction on 145 new homes in Somerset could commence before key modifications to a nearby railway level crossing, if Somerset Council agrees to revised plans submitted by the developer.
Tilia Homes won permission on appeal in November 2025 to build the housing development at the Maple Grove site off Lang Road in Crewkerne, close to the Cathole Bridge Road level crossing over the London to Exeter railway line.
Current legal agreements, dating from a separate appeal in July 2020, require the stopping up—permanent closure—of a public footpath crossing the railway west of the level crossing before any work on the new homes can start. This measure is designed to ensure public safety.
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However, Tilia Homes has applied to amend this condition to allow construction to begin ahead of the footpath closure. The developer says it is eager to start and secure the development within the planning permission period.
The footpath in question, known as CH27/21, runs south from Cathole Bridge Road near Maple Grove, crosses the railway via stiles, and continues into the nearby hamlet of Henley. The existing rules state that no construction— including building the access road—can start before this footpath is officially stopped up.
Under the proposed changes, the developer plans to begin creating the access road off Lang Road and lay foundations for up to ten homes prior to closing the footpath permanently.
Michael Russell of Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd, representing Tilia Homes, explained: “The developer has until November 2027 to start on-site work and is anxious to begin to ensure the approved planning permission is implemented on time. We recognize that the process to divert the footpath has been slow and cumbersome, and some local opposition appears aimed at delaying the housing development.”
Network Rail held a public consultation in January 2026 about diverting the footpath southwards from the level crossing to reconnect with the original route via a nearby track.
Cathole Bridge Road is currently narrow, without pavements, bordered by tall hedges, and often used as a shortcut to Crewkerne railway station, which lies in the parish of Misterton. Trains run hourly in each direction on the London to Exeter line, operated by South Western Railway.
Tilia Homes has offered Network Rail £78,000 to fund the footpath stopping up if the council approves the modification.
Residents can submit formal comments on the proposed changes to Somerset Council’s Rights of Way team by email or post by June 24.
Despite these plans, the Space4Crewkerne campaign group remains concerned about pedestrian safety. They highlight that the 1.2-metre-wide roadside strip is too narrow for two-way foot traffic and lacks protective barriers to keep pedestrians safe from vehicles. The group also cites insufficient signage and lighting to alert drivers, especially since the road is busy, without a speed limit, and expected to see increased traffic over coming years. The level crossing area, noted as the widest part of the road, sees large vehicles waiting to pass, further complicating pedestrian safety.
As the council weighs the proposal, balancing development progress with community safety remains paramount.