Watchet Urban Design Strategy: An urban design strategy for a Somerset town affected by road closure and coastal erosion

The unexpected closure of the B3191 Cleeve Hill Road in January 2023 due to coastal erosion posed immediate connectivity challenges for Watchet, significantly impacting the businesses that depend on passing trade. However, this situation, also prompted a critical reflection on the town’s increasing reliance on vehicular connectivity and its implications for creating a sustainable and attractive environment.

While there are concerns about the town becoming isolated, the new reality presented an opportunity to capitalise on the town’s unique qualities and enhance its liveability. The short-term challenges can serve as a catalyst for proactive planning, focusing on sustainability, resilience to changes in vehicular use, and the development of a high-quality town centre that caters to both tourists and residents. With this in mind, the town council and its partners reached out to Feria Urbanism for advice and support.

Working between March and October 2024, Richard collaborated closely with 25+ local stakeholder groups to ensure the final urban design strategy was responsive to local needs and had the widespread support of those that live and work in Watchet.

Town Wide Strategy

Using his established and highly regarded co-creative research practice, Richard produced an 80-page report, which sets out a range of urban design measures that can lift Watchet’s profile and help the town meet the challenges presented by the road closure. The town wide strategy was based on independent urban design analysis and stakeholder feedback and falls into two distinct categories:

Watchet Water’s Edge – There is a wonderful linear route to explore, starting in the east on the headland near the coastguard lookout, and moving west, along East Quay and the Esplanade, onto Market Street, West Street and then a right turn, to find the hidden cove amongst the rocky cliffs. This route offer a rich variety of experiences – wild, arty, welcoming, working, quiet, vibrant. It is exposed to the sea and the elements but protected and safe too. End to end, this route is approx. 700m and should be considered and designed as a coherent and continuous experience.

Watchet Walkable Town – Exploring the town centre is currently restricted to “up and down” movement on Swain Street and Harbour Road. What is needed to widen this experience is a connected lattice work of lanes that can lace across the town centre, creating loops and circuits. Remaking the surface car parks as civic spaces with better materials, trees and landscape details, while maintaining their important function as places to park cars will enhance the range of spaces and choices of route. Making Swain Street more pedestrian friendly can also be part of this new walking network.

Our final report is now being used by the Watchet Task Force, Watchet Town Council and Somerset Council to secure investment that can make positive changes to the town.