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Search the Public Notice PortalNew wetlands will need to be created near the River Parrett to ensure construction can continue on one of Somerset's largest housing developments.
Taylor Wimpey Exeter is currently constructing the first phase of its Wool Gardens development on the Crewkerne Key Site, which will eventually comprise 635 homes, commercial space and a care home between the A30 Yeovil Road and the A356 Station Road.
Crewkerne lies within the River Parrett catchment area, meaning that any developer must provide additional mitigation to prevent any net increase in phosphates on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
To ensure that the development can continue to move forward at pace into its second phase, Taylor Wimpey has brought forward plans to create new wetlands on the Viney Brook - with Somerset Council expected to make a decision later in the year.
The proposed wetlands will be constructed at the eastern edge of the town near Higher Easthams Lane, with the main maintenance access being from Station Road.
The wetlands will filter water from the Viney Brook to remove large quantities of phosphates before returning it to the watercourse shortly before its confluence with the River Parrett.
The scheme will allow the remaining elements of the Wool Gardens site (focussed at the northern end of the site) to be delivered, and may potentially act as a "nutrient credit bank" for other developers seeking to deliver homes in Crewkerne or elsewhere in the River Parrett catchment.
A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: "The development proposals should be considered well thought-out and in line with key stakeholder policies and objectives.
"When assessed against the policies in the South Somerset Local Plan, the proposals accord with all relevant policies.
"Material considerations also exist in relation to the need to deliver phosphate solutions across Somerset to deliver much-needed housing."
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The new wetlands will lie on two popular long-distance walking routes: the River Parrett Trail (which runs from the river's source near Cheddington to the Bristol Channel) and the Monarch's Way (which follows the route the future King Charles II used to escape to France after his defeat in the Battle of Worcester in 1651).
John Tennant, chairman the Monarch’s Way Association, said he welcomed the biodiversity improvements which the wetlands would deliver but remained concerns about the access arrangements both during and after the construction period.
He said: "What plans are in place to accommodate walkers along the Monarch’s Way during the construction process on a safe route away from construction work?
"I am very concerned that this wetland area will act to narrow the natural shape of the valley. This could potentially impact on the surface water table and increase the possibility for increased flooding in the area.
"This area is very prone to water-logging, especially the part of the route towards the A30 which was very wet in June last year even after a very prolonged dry and warm spring and summer.
"How much space will be allocated to the Monarch’s Way footpath after completion of construction? There is a significant chance that the planting will be of a type that will continuously overgrow the route."
Taylor Wimpey has offered to install timber bridges through the wetlands to ensure long-term access for these public rights of way could be maintained.
The southern edge of Crewkerne is expected to see significant housing growth over the years, raising fears of the town merging with the neighbouring village of Misterton (where its railway station is located).
On top of the Wool Gardens development, Place Land LLP is seeking to secure permission for 325 homes directly opposite the railway station entrance, which will include a 'transport hub' and additional parking for rail passengers.
The Planning Inspectorate approved plans in November 2025 for 145 homes on the Maple Grove site on Lang Road, following an appeal being lodged by Tilia Homes in January.
A further 46 homes will be delivered through the redevelopment of the former Viney Bridge Mill on Station Road, after plans were approved by council officers in October 2025.
The council is expected to make a final ruling on the wetlands proposals by the summer.
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