Council agrees improved footpath to link new estate with town centre and school
Taunton Town Council has approved changes that will allow a key pedestrian route to be widened to serve residents moving into the new Staplegrove East development, which is planned to deliver 915 homes, a primary school and commercial space on the town’s north-western edge.
The Staplegrove urban extension as a whole is expected to deliver 1,628 homes, commercial areas and a spine road connecting the A358 Staplegrove Road and Taunton Road. Developers Bloor Homes South West are delivering the Staplegrove West element of the scheme, comprising 713 homes and commercial units between the A358 and Whitmore Lane, while Stonewater and PM Asset Management have published revised proposals for Staplegrove East between Whitmore Lane and Taunton Road, north of Corkscrew Lane.
What the changes mean on the ground
Construction is already under way on the first phase — the newly named Quantock Park estate — where 242 houses and the western end of the spine road are being built. Under the revised Staplegrove East plans, housing will be delivered on either side of Taunton Road, with the new spine road ending at a signal-controlled crossroads a short distance north of the existing staggered junction with Corkscrew Lane and Hope Corner Lane.
Taunton Road currently carries a 40mph limit and lacks pavements in parts, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians. The town council’s agreement will allow an existing pedestrian route near the East site to be widened to provide a safer, smoother connection to Taunton Green and Pyrland School for families moving into the new homes. Stonewater has also set out proposals to provide walking and cycling links on each side of Taunton Road and a pedestrian link onto Hope Corner Lane.
Stonewater describes the Staplegrove East scheme as delivering "high-quality, energy-efficient" homes, commercial space and a school.
Transport and safety considerations
Improved pedestrian and cycling routes are intended to offer a safer alternative to the existing road conditions, and follow a similar arrangement the town council agreed for Staplegrove West, which allowed access across council land to a link onto the West Deane Way footpath. The changes reflect a proactive approach by the council to secure walking and cycling infrastructure as developments progress.
- 705–915 homes: Staplegrove East proposed to deliver 915 homes.
- 713 homes: Staplegrove West being built by Bloor Homes South West.
- Spine road: New road will link A358 Staplegrove Road with Taunton Road and terminate at a new signal-controlled crossroads.
Local context and likely consequences
The Staplegrove developments will extend Taunton’s urban edge towards the Quantock Hills and change travel patterns for residents of nearby villages such as Kingston St. Mary. The widened route to Taunton Green and Pyrland School should be welcomed by parents and pupils who would otherwise face sections of Taunton Road that have no pavements.
However, the arrival of up to 1,628 homes will also increase demand on local services, public transport and road networks. The introduction of a signal-controlled crossroads on Taunton Road will alter traffic flow north of Corkscrew Lane and Hope Corner Lane, and may require further mitigation measures as the new neighbourhood is built out.
Developers and the town council have so far provided a framework for walking and cycling improvements. As construction continues on Quantock Park and proposals for Staplegrove East move through planning and delivery, residents and local organisations will be watching for detailed designs, timescales and commitments to maintenance of the new links.
| Element | Planned provision |
|---|---|
| Staplegrove West (Bloor Homes) | 713 homes, commercial units, first 242 houses under construction |
| Staplegrove East (Stonewater & PM Asset Management) | 915 homes, primary school, commercial space, walking/cycling links |
| Overall Staplegrove urban extension | 1,628 homes, spine road linking A358 and Taunton Road |
The council’s recent decisions demonstrate a willingness to secure active travel routes alongside housing growth. For those who live and work in Taunton, the practical value of widened footpaths and cycle links will become clearer as families move into new houses and the spine road is completed.
