A PLOT of land once home to King Henry II's deer park is set to be turned into a housing estate.

Barratt Developments hopes to start building 130 new homes on the plot in North Petherton in April.

The construction of Royal View on the 10-acre site will support 400 jobs and generate more than £1.5 million in tax revenue.

It will feature 91 homes for sale on the open market with a further 39 affordable homes.

The scheme was approved by Sedgemoor District Council in the summer and will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, and two, three and four-bedroom homes.

There will also be a variety of community benefits including £75,000 for new play areas and open spaces.

Existing hedge will be retained and enhanced to help develop a green buffer zone acting as a wildlife corridor along the eastern boundary of the development.

Andrea Pilgrim, sales director at Barratt Bristol, said: "This is an important step towards our ambition to create a vibrant, mixed community here on this beautiful and historic site in North Petherton.

"In addition to creating 130 much-needed homes, including 30 per cent affordable at Royal View, we will be investing into the local economy, supporting jobs and creating new community facilities and open green spaces.

"This development will provide a mix of homes and is likely to attract buyers from the local area and the growing number of people looking to live nearer the countryside."