Construction of 145 new homes in Somerset could commence before modifications to a nearby railway level crossing are made, pending approval from Somerset Council.
Tilia Homes received planning permission on appeal in November 2025 to develop 145 homes at the Maple Grove site off Lang Road in Crewkerne, near the Cathole Bridge Road level crossing on the London to Exeter railway line.
Previously, legal agreements—established following a 2020 appeal—prevented any work from starting until a public footpath crossing the railway (west of the level crossing) was officially closed for safety reasons.
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Now, the Exeter-based developer is seeking to amend this condition to begin construction sooner, expressing an eagerness to get started.
The footpath in question, known as path CH27/21, runs south of Cathole Bridge Road near Maple Grove, crosses the railway via stiles, and continues south toward the Dorset border through the hamlet of Henley.
Under original planning conditions, no building work, including formation of the access road, could begin until this footpath is closed to the public.
Tilia Homes wants the agreement changed to allow access to Lang Road and the laying of foundations for up to ten homes before the footpath is permanently closed.
Michael Russell of Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd, representing the developer, said: “Tilia Homes has until November 2027 to start development on site. They are anxious to begin work and ensure the planning permission is implemented on time.
“This amendment will help secure the development before the permission expires.
“Evidence from efforts to progress the footpath diversion, such as the local exhibition in January 2026, shows some residents are using the footpath closure process to delay or obstruct the project.
“Tilia Homes has actively pursued the footpath diversion but recognizes the process is slow and complex.”
Network Rail hosted a public consultation in January regarding the proposed footpath diversion at Cathole Bridge Road crossing. The plan is to reroute the path to reconnect it southwards via a track.
Cathole Bridge Road, which lacks pavements and features high hedges, often acts as a shortcut for people walking to Crewkerne railway station, located in the nearby parish of Misterton.
The London to Exeter railway is serviced by South Western Railway, with trains stopping at Crewkerne station hourly in both directions.
Tilia Homes has offered to pay £78,000 to Network Rail to support the footpath closure if the revised plan is approved.
Residents and stakeholders wishing to comment on the footpath changes are invited to contact Somerset Council’s Rights of Way department by June 24.
However, the local campaign group Space4Crewkerne has voiced serious safety concerns about stopping up the footpath and the associated changes to the level crossing.
A spokesperson stated: “A 1.2-metre pathway beside the road is insufficient for two-way pedestrian traffic and lacks barriers to prevent vehicles from encroaching.
“There should be protective barriers at the base of the steps to stop pedestrians or animals from running onto the road.
“Signage and lighting are also inadequate to warn motorists of pedestrians along this busy stretch.
“Traffic volume is expected to rise, with no speed limit currently on this section. The crossing is wide, so larger vehicles often wait here, increasing safety risks.”