TWO thousand homes could be built on the edge of Taunton, along with a primary school, link road, “local centre” and businesses – if plans lodged with Taunton Deane Council get the go-ahead.

An outline planning application from a consortium of developers has been registered for 118 hectares of land south-west of Comeytrowe/Trull.

The plans, from the Comeytrowe Consortium, comprising Taylor Wimpey UK, Bovis Homes, Mactaggart & Mickel and Summerfield Homes, include a link road connecting the A38 and Honiton Road and a 300-space park and ride. 

An application for outline planning permission means the developers are seeking approval for the principle of building on the site, but they would still need full planning permission before they can start work on any houses. 

Any development would take place in stages over the next 15 years or so.

In a supporting Design and Access Statement, Barton Willmore, who are acting for the Comeytrowe Consortium, describe the development as “a New Garden Community comprising two neighbourhoods connected by a central green space.”

They add: “The new development will be complementary to the adjacent communities and sustainably connected to Taunton Town Centre.

"It will have its own distinct identity that will also reflect the local character and distinctiveness of surrounding areas including Trull and Comeytrowe.

"The applicants prepared the outline Masterplan with local input from a public exhibition and planning workshops."

However, the application, which is open for consultation until February 16, is already drawing objections from residents.

In a letter to Taunton Deane Council, Gwen Chapman of Trull wrote: “This development is too large for the infrastructure of Trull/Comeytrowe; the roads will not be able to cope with the increased traffic, nor will hospitals or doctors’ surgeries.

“This is also going to considerably alter the make-up of the village of Trull.”

To view the application, or comment on it, visit the planning section of Taunton Deane Council’s website here.

The planning application number is 42/14/0069.

A Taunton Deane Council spokesman said: “Those who submit comments will be notified of the date when the planning committee will be considering the application. This has yet to be set.”