Residents’ safety worries ‘are of little relevance’ as developer wins appeal

CREWKERNE residents and Somerset Council have failed in their last-ditch efforts to stop nearly 150 new homes from being built at the southern edge of the town.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local democracy journalist

An aerial view of the Maple Grove site off Lang Road in Crewkerne, pictured in June 2023 PICTURE: Tilia Homes

(Tilia Homes)

James Tizzard of Land Value Alliances LLP secured outline planning permission on appeal in July 2020 to build up to 150 homes on land between Kithill and the railway line at the southern edge of Crewkerne.

Tilia Homes Ltd., to whom the land was sold, put forward detailed proposals in July 2022 for the first phase of the new development (now christened Maple Grove), comprising 89 properties.

South Somerset District Council refused permission for this “cramped over-development” of the land in January 2023, prompting the Exeter-based developer to submit revised plans for the entire development of 145 homes in June 2023.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April 2023) threw out this proposal as well, citing “an unacceptable level of overlooking” and ongoing concerns on flooding - a decision which the developer subsequently appealed in January 2024.

‘The Planning Inspectorate has now reversed the council's decision, meaning that construction of the new homes could finally begin by the summer of 2026.

‘The site lies north of the railway line and a short distance from Cat-hole Bridge Road - which forms part of a rat run between the railway station and the A30 to Chard.

Access to the new homes would be from Lang Road, with a new junction being created opposite the existing access to Manor Road.

‘The new homes will be concentrated at the northern edge of the site, near the existing homes on Kithill, with the land tapering down to the railway line being preserved as public open space.

The development originally proposed 150 new homes, but this was reduced to 145 following discussions with the council's planning officers.