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Village near Taunton could soon get more than 300 new homes
More than 300 new homes could soon be delivered on the outskirts of Somerset’s county town after a crucial piece of land changed hands.
Crest Nicholson South West applied in August 2021 to build up to 400 new homes on the Ford Farm site in Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton, as well as completing the final state of a bypass around the village’s southern edge. The Bristol-based developer recently purchased a new parcel of land within the area, making it easier for it to bring forward what has been dubbed the Norton Rise estate, along with the final section of a vital relief road.
The developer intends to begin construction in early-2024 if planning permission is granted – though the exact number of homes intended for the site has yet to be confirmed. The Norton Rise site, which is included within the former Taunton Deane Local Plan, lies between the B3227 and the mainline between Taunton and Exeter – including the connection to the West Somerset Railway (WSR) to Minehead.
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The land nearest to Norton Fitzwarren’s heritage railway station – at the western edge of the site – will be left undeveloped to give the WSR the opportunity to enhance its facilities. In addition to the new homes, Crest Nicholson intends to complete the construction of Great Western Way, which currently begins at the Langford Mews development at the eastern edge of the village and stops short of Station Road.
This will provide a relief road around the new homes, reducing congestion on the B3227 between Taunton and Wiveliscombe. Mark Foyle, managing director of Crest Nicholson South West, said: “As we continue our commitment to build communities in the south west, we are pleased to have competed the purchase of what will be our Norton Rise development.
“Our experience of building strong communities at our developments can been seen across the south west. Norton Rise is well connected, with excellent nearby transport links, local schools and sports facilities that rival other villages.
“We look forward to progressing planning work on the site and to bring more than 300 quality new homes to people of Somerset over the next couple of years.” Crest Nicholson is currently constructing 73 homes on the Grange Meadows site on the southern edge of Cannington, located just off the busy A39.
The precise number of new homes which will be delivered at the Norton Rise site has not yet been confirmed, with negotiations ongoing between the developer and Somerset Council. The council announced in March that it was funding a £50,000 study into new active travel links between Taunton and the neighbouring villages of Norton Fitzwarren and Cotford St. Luke – the results of which are expected to be published by the end of the summer.
Any decision on the Norton Rise proposals will be taken by the council’s planning committee west, which handles major planning application in the former Somerset West and Taunton area.
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