Tesco finally caves in major new Devon road update

A long-awaited agreement by Tesco to sell a piece of land in Cullompton that is intrinsic to a new £34 million relief road is “excellent” according to the town’s MP.

Alongside other campaigners including Mid Devon District Council, Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat MP for Honiton and Sidmouth, had spent years trying to get the supermarket to release land it owned but did not use, and which is required for a planned road to be built.

Government funding was confirmed in August for the scheme, which is viewed as a vital piece of larger redevelopment of the town.

The relief road essentially paves the way for a new settlement of 5,000 homes called Culm Garden Village.

While Cullompton Cricket Club has already started moving to make way for the relief road, Tesco had been criticised for its seeming intransigence over land it owns that Mid Devon District Council needs for the road. Now it has agreed to sell it.

“The decision by Tesco to sell this essential piece of land is excellent news,” Mr Foord said.

“Cullompton’s proposed relief road has been a long time in the making and will ease congestion and air pollution in the town centre.

“At a time when housing developments are rightly criticised for failing on accompanying infrastructure, this proposal could improve walking and cycling opportunities too.”

The relief road, which secured planning permission in 2021, will run from Station Road to Duke Street and will include enhanced walking and cycling facilities.

Completion of the road is forecast for 2028, with the major focus of work in the short term being to finalise designs, complete the acquisition of land and fully relocate the cricket club.

Besides the relief road, Mid Devon has also submitted a business case for investment to upgrade Junction 28 of the M5, which suffers daily gridlock because of commuters travelling from and to Cullompton every day.

Cllr Steve Keable, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration for the council, said he is “delighted” that Tesco had listened to the voices of the community, including local councils and MrFoord.

“This positive decision by Tesco has come at a crucial time for Cullompton, building on other recent successes,” Cllr Keable said.

“It marks the overcoming of the final major hurdle to delivery of the relief road and I now look forward to seeing the relief road built.”