Housing development will 'improve' access to nature reserve

Herne Hill was declared a local nature reserve in September 2018

A town in Somerset could soon find it easier to access its local nature reserve as major housing development plans get under way.

In January, Persimmon Homes South West secured planning permission to build up to 360 new homes near Herne Hill in Ilminster.

The proposed site is between Canal Way and the town's nature reserve, with the main access point near The Meadows doctors’ surgery.

As part of the construction, the developer has promised to improve access to the nature reserve.

The 28-acre woodland is situated on Canal Way, between the town, the village of Donyatt and the small hamlet of Sea

The nature reserve is currently accessible from two public rights of way – through the Persimmon site, and between Herne Rise and the Stop Line Way active travel route in Donyatt.

As part of the outline plans for the new homes, Persimmon has promised to upgrade the footpath from Canal Way leading up to the nature reserve – a path which is currently steep and regularly affected by deep mud.

The developer will also deliver new public open space between the woods and the new homes to reduce the impact of the development.

A spokesman said: “Our access and movement plans proposes indicative pedestrian and cycling links within our site and to its boundaries.

More detailed proposals will be considered in due course once we have agreed the Section 106 agreement and the decision notice has been issued by Somerset Council.”