Taylor Wimpey’s Somerset housing estate cleared to build after Supreme Court ruling

A Supreme Court ruling in October 2025 exempted housing sites that secured outline planning consent before new phosphate‑mitigation guidance from having to meet those conditions. The decision enabled Taylor Wimpey to accelerate construction on its Wool Gardens development near Crewkerne, Somerset, a project of 635 homes, a 66‑bed care home, commercial space and a new relief road. Work on the southern 110 homes is almost finished, with temporary traffic lights in place until the new access road is completed.

The ruling also unlocked further Somerset projects, including 35 homes on Lyndhurst Grove in Martock and 28 homes on Head Street in Tintinhull. Council solicitor Martin Evans confirmed the change in a letter to Taylor Wimpey’s planning director.

Separately, developer Mic Mac has submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council for a 500‑home extension on the east side of the village of Backwell, adding to about 800 homes already under construction. The proposal, covering 29 ha between Farleigh Road and the railway line, includes a new road to ease traffic. Sixty‑one objections cite concerns about traffic, wildlife loss and agricultural land, while a small number of residents support the expansion.