New proposals for 80 homes and a takeaway in Cotford St Luke are now open for public feedback
Cotford St Luke: Exciting news! Revised plans for a housing development have been put forward. They’re looking to build 80 new homes and a takeaway on Dene Road.
Hallam Land Management got the green light back in February 2023. They’re all set to kick things off, with Lovell Homes taking over the site for £25 million. Construction could start as early as summer 2025.
The new homes will be on the northern side of Dene Road. The takeaway will be nearby, but that’ll need a separate application. They’re planning a mix of two to four-bedroom homes, with 20 of them being affordable.
To keep things eco-friendly, the site will have to improve biodiversity by 10%. This means making the area better for plants and wildlife, which is a nice touch.
There’s even talk of more homes in the future! Hallam Land Management has plans for another 80 homes and some allotments near Tithill Lane, which they submitted in December 2024.
A spokesperson for Lovell Homes said this development is high quality and will really benefit Cotford St Luke. They’re aiming for a design that fits well with the area and meets the community’s needs.
However, not everyone is on board. Some locals are worried about traffic. With the village’s narrow roads, they fear it’ll get congested quickly.
Terry Iddenden, a resident, pointed out that the current access road is already a bit of a bottleneck. He’s concerned that the new homes will make it worse, especially during busy times.
Another local, Paul Fleet, mentioned the rise in deliveries due to online shopping. He feels that while walking and cycling around Cotford is safe, the roads leading out of the village don’t cater well for cyclists or pedestrians.
To address these concerns, Somerset County Council has commissioned a study into sustainable transport options. They’re looking at ways to connect Taunton with nearby villages like Cotford St Luke.
We should hear back from the council about the housing plans by spring. It’ll be interesting to see how this all unfolds!
