The next phase of a major new housing development near the M5 in Somerset can proceed after plans for 77 new homes were approved.

Hallam Land Management and Persimmon Homes Severn Valley have outline planning permission to deliver 2,000 homes between the A39 Bath Road and the Bristol to Exeter railway line – along with 1,200 sq m of retail space, leisure facilities, a new primary school and other facilities.

The developers put forward joint plans in May 2021 for 77 homes on a parcel of land within this outline allocation (dubbed the “north-east Bridgwater allocation”), currently occupied by the Sydenham Barn wedding venue.

Sedgemoor District Council has now approved these detailed proposals, with construction likely to move forward before the end of the year.

The site in question lies between Agusta Drive and a separate parcel of land near the motorway, where 98 homes are planned – though a decision on these proposals has not yet been reached.

Access will be achieved through Agusta Drive, with a further access being added from King’s Drive at a later date.

The plans were approved through the delegated powers of the council’s planning officers, rather than coming before its development committee for a decision in public.

This approval was granted in spite of several local objections, including Bridgwater Without Parish Council, which described the green spaces provided within the site as “inadequate”.

Parish clerk Kate Lang said: “While we agree that the homes are necessary to meet the needs of the community, the garden spaces are inadequate, especially considering the recent pandemic and the opportunity that gardens give to support growing our own food and providing space to play and relax.

“We would like to see additional outdoor space is available to all ages ranges to support mental health and general well-being.”

Shannon Ohren, who lives on Pearl Close less than a mile from the site, said more work was needed by developers to protect local wildlife as new homes were being delivered.

Speaking in May 2021, she said: “A huge number of homes and developments have been building within this area with very little concern for the environment and local wildlife.

“There are no plans to create any form of nature reserves or helping to protect, let alone encourage our local wildlife.”

In addition to the two sites nearest the M5, the council is also considering a separate application for 53 homes at the corner of Ascot Drive and King’s Road, where outline permission for new homes and a retail unit was granted back in November 2020.

A further 80 low-cost homes will be delivered near the Willow Man sculpture on the eastern side of King’s Road, following a £15m investment by Vistry Partnerships.