Somerset housing project advances following Supreme Court ruling
Taylor Wimpey allowed to expedite Wool Gardens development in Crewkerne
Construction on one of Somerset's largest housing estates, Wool Gardens in Crewkerne, is progressing swiftly thanks to a recent Supreme Court decision.
Taylor Wimpey plans to construct 635 homes, a 66-bed care facility, commercial space, and a relief road at this eastern Crewkerne site. The initial phase of 110 homes at the southern end is nearly finished, with temporary traffic measures on Station Road in place until 31st August for access road completion.
Originally, the northern site homes required phosphate mitigation arrangements between Taylor Wimpey and Somerset Council to avoid further harm to the Somerset Levels and Moors. However, the Supreme Court ruling in October 2025 has removed the need for these measures.
The court's decision stemmed from a legal challenge concerning the Jurston Fields development in Wellington, contesting Natural England’s guidance issued in August 2020 that mandated additional mitigation for developments impacting the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The ruling allows developments with outline planning consent before this advice no longer to require mitigation measures in their reserved matters phase, affecting around 12,000 homes previously in limbo due to this constraint.
In addition to Wool Gardens, the ruling has unlocked other Somerset housing projects, including 35 homes in Martock and 28 homes in Tintinhull.
Council solicitor Martin Evans confirmed the decision's effects, stating planning conditions enforcing mitigation were legally unjustifiable and removal from reserved matters follows suit.
Currently, Taylor Wimpey is authorized to complete up to 110 northern site homes before submitting further plans for the remaining 415 homes.