Crewkerne residents are being asked for their views on plans to build up to 300 new homes near their local railway station.

Place Land LLP first approached South Somerset District Council in mid-2018 about the prospect of building up to 350 new homes to the west of the A356 Station Road opposite the station entrance.

Following delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Exeter-based land promoter has now launched a formal consultation on plans for up to 300 new homes on this site, with connections to other nearby housing developments.

Crewkerne residents have until September 23 to respond, with a formal planning application expected to be submitted before Christmas.

The site lies on the northern side of the railway line, which carried South Western Railway passengers services between Exeter St. David’s and London Waterloo.

It was identified within the council’s Local Plan review as being able to deliver up to 270 new homes, along with a new car park for the railway station.

Access will be from Station Road, opposite the existing station access on Monarch Way and to the south of the existing footpath running across the middle of the site.

A local centre, comprising shops and other amenities, will be provided in the south-east corner, with a new pedestrian access being provided to the existing station platform alongside new car parking.

The developer also plans to include a “mobility hub”, allotments and a community woodland at the south-western corner.

A spokesman for Place Land LLP said: “Our vision is to create a functional and high-quality development which makes the most of its gateway location.

“The scheme hopes to provide up to 300 new homes, with a mix of types
and tenures, including first homes for local people and other forms of affordable housing.

“The mobility hub will provide opportunities for sustainable vehicle collection and drop-off, mixed-use spaces, parcel collection/ return lockers, pedestrian links and parking for the train station.

“The site will be afforded generous interlinked areas of open space, play
spaces, and sustainable urban drainage systems, retaining much of the hedgerows and demonstrating an overall net gain in biodiversity.”

Crewkerne is identified as one of the main market towns in South Somerset and will experience significant housing growth in the coming years.

The Station Road site lies a short distance from the Kithill site, where planning permission for 150 homes was granted on appeal in July 2020.

To have your say on the Station Road proposals before the formal planning application is submitted, visit www.stationroadcrewkerne.com by September 23.