DOZENS of new low-cost homes will be delivered near the Willow Man sculpture in Bridgwater after revised plans were approved.

Sedgemoor District Council has been working with Homes England to deliver new homes in the Kingsdown area of the town, not far from the Morrisons regional distribution centre.

Planning permission for a development of 80 homes was granted by the council in December 2019, with at least 24 of the proposed new homes being affordable.

But revised plans were put forward following a £15M investment by Vistry Partnerships, meaning all 80 homes will be sold below the market rate.

The council’s development committee met on Tuesday morning (April 27) to discuss the revised plans after Bridgwater Without Parish Council objected to the proposals.

Bridgwater Mercury: Proposed Layout Of 80 Homes On King\'S Road In Bridgwater. CREDIT: Thrive Architects. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

A spokesman said: “It is unclear how families will travel on foot, cycle or access public transport in a safe way for education, shops and to access medical services.

“There is a crossing towards the south side, but there is lack of joined up footpaths to safely access and it does not have sufficient capacity for the current population of the area.

“There is no safe link for access to the play area at the Willow Man or integration into other developments which would promote social inclusion or cohesion.”

However, councillors were informed at the start of the meeting that the parish council had withdrawn its objection – meaning the plans could be approved by officers under delegated authority, rather than requiring a public vote.

Bridgwater Mercury: Proposed Site Of 80 Homes On King\'S Road In Bridgwater. CREDIT: Sedgemoor District Council. Free to use for all BBC wire partners.

Accordingly, the plans were withdrawn from the agenda without the committee having to vote.

The homes will be constructed at the north-eastern end of King’s Road, on land adjoining the existing homes on King’s Walk and Royal Drive.

Access will be from King’s Road, with all of the properties being two storeys high except for the three-storey block of flats nearest the existing play area.

A total of 139 car parking spaces will be provided on site (including 15 visitor spaces), as well as spaces for bicycles, motorcycles and electric vehicle charging stations.

Speaking in April 2020, Vistry chief executive Stephen Teagle said he hoped construction work on the Bridgwater site could begin as soon as possible.

He said: “We have developed a successful partnership with Homes England and are already providing many hundreds of homes together; these new developments will add to that partnership, providing hundreds of affordable homes.

“Thanks to our agile business model and a collaborative approach with Homes England to accelerate delivery, we have been able to identify solutions which will enable us to progress as soon as possible.”