Wellington Station and 220 homes planning application
West of England Developments (Taunton[1]) Ltd wants to create a mixed use development of up to 220 homes and employment land on a 17.28 hectare plot north of Taunton Road.
The Longforth Park scheme would also include public open space, drainage and associated infrastructure.
The project aims to provide:
- a transport hub (halt/station) and access to it;
- direct connections to the south and east and informal connections west;
- a development ‘heart’ or point of arrival;
- a ‘meandering’ secondary street leading to the station;
- a mix of land uses;
- retention of a vast area of open space contributing to biodiversity gain.
The application is for outline planning but a masterplan has been drawn up to account for “a good level of parking” for vehicles and cyclists, which has been guided by discussions with Network Rail.
The detailed design of the station square, circulatory access for free movement (without turning) for buses and the general parking arrangements would be subject to further negotiation by Network Rail with the local planning authority.
The current masterplan envisages around 75 parking spaces and space allowed for cyclist and scooter spaces in addition.
The site would be accessed from the junction created on Nynehead Road to serve the new Lidl store.
A statement with the planning application says: “The main objective is that the proposed development should be sympathetic to the existing town characters and setting.
“The varying densities, set backs and urban structure provide valuable references for creating a new place.
“Using locally recognisable styles, materials, architectural detailing and boundary treatments will ensure the appearance of
the public realm is harmonious with the unique historic character of Wellington and the site’s immediate context and position in
the landscape.”
It adds: “Dwellings will be orientated and designed to optimise daylight and natural ventilation opportunities wherever possible.
“Dwellings will address the public realm, and secondary elevations on corner plots should be adequately articulated to provide surveillance and activity to both streets.
“In each instance, adequate space shall be allowed within the private realm so as not to overly impinge on the privacy and
amenity of residents.
“The orientation of residential units will be designed to maximise solar gain, with the primary used rooms and main glazing facing south where possible.”
A new Wellington Station is among 10 projects nationally being considered for funding by the Government’s Restoring Railways Fund.