KEY DETAILS
Orchard Grove
Location: Comeytowe, Taunton, Somerset
Homes: 831
Partners: LiveWest
Project Duration: 17 years
Gross Development Value: £260m
Land: Greenfield
Social Value: 539k
Introduction
Orchard Grove is part of a consortium site which, once delivered, will feature 2,000 homes within two neighbourhoods, connected by green space. Vistry is delivering its 831 homes over three phases, with over 41% pre-sold in a joint venture with LiveWest.
Work started in 2021, and a huge amount of infrastructure work has already taken place, with thousands of trees and shrubs planted, and a new major junction created to connect the new development to the A38 and Taunton.
This unique garden community has an abundance of green space and is being designed to allow its residents to adopt a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
Housing Delivery and Affordable Homes
Vistry is building and selling 490 homes on this development to open market customers though its Bovis Homes and Linden Homes retail brands.
“We love the house! This is a good investment for us, and we also liked the sustainable credentials.“It’s exciting to see our neighbours moving in now, there’s already a little community forming and it’s great to see the rest of the development taking shape, especially the parks as we love our walks. There are so many beautiful places to explore.”
Bovis Home Residents
“It is fantastic to see the huge progress made to-date at Orchard Grove, a significant achievement for all parties involved.“In collaboration with our valued partner, Vistry, our focus is on providing essential affordable housing for local people. The partnership is also enhancing the community with sustainable and green space, making it a great place to live.
“We look forward to welcoming more new customers into their new homes over the coming months and years and seeing the positive impact this development continues to have on the area.”
Director of Sales and Marketing at LiveWest
In addition to the open market homes, the 300-acre site will include 341 affordable homes, delivered in partnership with LiveWest.
Community Facilities
Once complete, Orchard Grove will feature a business park, a local centre with shops and community facilities, plus 100 acres of open green space that will include play areas, allotments and sports pitches.
A new cutting-edge nursery and primary school opened in October 2024. It is Somerset’s first net zero school, which incorporates solar panel technology, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points.
A new park and ride facility at the northern part of the development will provide future sustainable connectivity to Taunton and Wellington via a new bus corridor.
The site will also include a state-of-the-art 68-bedroom care home, creating over 100 new jobs. The building has been designed to be environmentally friendly and meet BREEAM’s ‘very good’ standard.
Vistry has been involved in many local initiatives to support the community, including:
- Sponsorship of North Curry under 8s football
- Donation of toys and equipment to Comeytrowe under 5’s pre-school
Employment and Local Business
The creation of Orchard Grove has enabled Vistry to work with local suppliers and offer employment skills and opportunities to local people.
This development has:
- 7 local employees on site
- Worked with 46 local subcontractors on site
- Worked with local councillors and businesses to provide information about the site
- Worked closely with a local farm shop to provide hampers for new residents on moving day
Commitment to Nature and Sustainability
Orchard Grove will feature a well-connected and integrated network of up to 100 acres of green space. The site includes a mix of open space and landscaped areas. Further benefits include:
- Allotments
- A large bat house
- Many existing hedgerows and trees have been retained
- Thousands of trees and shrubs planted
Following funding from the Orchard Grove consortium, an eco-friendly travel plan was introduced, encouraging residents to focus on sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. Walking and cycling routes run through Orchard Grove, putting residents within easy reach of local shops, recreation and community facilities.