Crewkerne residents' concern over traffic linked to development

The proposed scheme for the land south of Kit Hill already has outline approval for 150 houses, but residents say Crewkerne town centre “wasn’t built" for the kind of traffic this may generate.

Another photo from Hermitage Street (Image: Steve Richardson)

Last week, residents handed the town council a petition of 299 signatures and raised concerns about the level of traffic and pollution connected to the development.

They are particularly worried about the narrow Hermitage Street, where HGVs would transit to reach the developing site on Kit Hill.

Karen Rawlinson said: “There are a number of issues such as collisions between vehicles, and the fact that often you have to wait in the doorways.

“It is a very old town and the pipes have been here for centuries. It wasn’t built for this kind of traffic.

“They said they will all go up Hermitage Street but they didn’t say how they are going to get around.

“I listed my concerns but everything I say is about every single street in our town. This is not me protecting Hermitage Street, it is about the whole town.”

Karen Rawlinson with her dog Shayla, and Hilary Copson with Freddie (Image: Steve Richardson)

Another resident, Hilary Copson, said: “If it is not suitable, they can’t do the development. If this is the only street, it doesn’t mean they can use it. The development can’t go ahead.”

Residents also raised concerns regarding the level of pollution that “will only go up with HGVs” and the water pipes on some streets.

A member of Space for Crewkerne added: “My only concern is the weight of the pavements. It is a main walking road. It does not have continuous pavements and the side of the street that does have pavements is less than a meter wide.

“I have concerns about the impact of the additional traffic on the street, it is not built for this kind of traffic.”

A Crewkerne Town Council spokesperson confirmed the council received a petition of 299 signatures at its Planning & Highways Committee meeting last week.

The spokesperson added that the petition has been listed on the draft agenda for discussion at the next meeting of P&H in January, following which the council will be happy to outline what is discussed/decided.

A Somerset County Council spokesman said: “The site in question was granted planning consent in 2019 on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

“Somerset County Council was a statutory consultee throughout the planning process and raised no objection to the scheme subject to conditions and obligations which included the need for the developer to submit a construction management plan.

“This plan, which was reviewed and accepted by the council helps us try to ensure the impact is minimised on the wider road network.

Residents are concerned about the level of traffic that would affect Hermitage Street (Image: Steve Richardson)

A spokesperson for Tilia Homes said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss the plans with those in the local communities in which we build.

“The proposed scheme in Crewkerne already has outline approval for 150 dwellings and, as part of the extensive planning process, pollution, flooding, and ecology have all been considered prior to the decision being made. The development will bring much-needed homes to the area to meet the acute housing shortage in the UK.

“Traffic management and routes for construction traffic considerations are still to be agreed as part of our rigorous Construction, Environment and Management Plan and will be discussed with both the District and County Councils, with the safety of the community and our team being the utmost priority.”

A spokesperson for South Somerset District Council said: “A decision has not yet been made on this application. We are aware of the concerns raised by local residents and will take advice from our colleagues at the Highway Authority before a decision is made.”