Development updates

Housebuilder ready to deliver at new 2,000-home Taunton community

- 22 Aug 19

The managing director of a South West-based housebuilder says he “can’t wait” to start on a new Taunton location – set to boost the local housing market and economy, as well as creating more than 3,000 jobs.

Planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore recently secured planning permission for a new community in the town on behalf of a consortium of housebuilders, including Bovis Homes.

The new neighbourhood, built on Garden City principles, will provide 2,000 new homes, 350 of which will be designated as affordable, as well as a primary school, mixed use local centre, employment and a ‘park and ride’ facility for 300 vehicles.

Dave Farley, regional managing director at Bovis Homes, said: “We can’t wait to get started on our new Taunton location, which will provide a boost to the local economy, ensure green spaces thrive, and provide homes for all sorts of buyers, including families, young couples and individual purchasers.

“Building quality properties is what matters most to us at Bovis Homes and we look forward to supporting those wanting to move to our Garden City development in this impressive location.”

The scheme has been developed collaboratively with members of the community, the local authority officers and other stakeholders through design workshops, meetings and public exhibitions over the last seven years.

From this a strong vision has been developed based on the principles of a Garden Neighbourhood. This has paved the way for continued collaboration to deliver Taunton as a Garden Town.

Lawrence Turner, planning associate at Barton Willmore, said: “We are delighted that Somerset West and Taunton Council have approved this new community, which offers an exciting opportunity to create a sustainable and attractive urban extension to Taunton, which will contribute to creating more sustainable patterns of development.

“This inclusive new community will provide much needed housing for the area and will generate up to 3,300 new jobs over its lifetime and provide 5.25 hectares of employment land.”

Comprising of two neighbourhoods connected by a network of green spaces and excellent connections to Taunton town centre, the new community will have its own distinct identity, while respecting the local character of surrounding areas of Trull and Comeytrowe.

Barry Williams, urban design director at Barton Willmore, added: “By using the Garden City principles we have designed an environment that celebrates its landscape setting, promoting opportunities to adopt a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

“We’ve provided opportunities to ‘grow-your-own’ food throughout the scheme, created an extensive network of footpaths and cycleways, and integrated large areas of attractive public open space, to create a neighbourhood people will love living in.”