More than a dozen low-cost homes could be built near a major Somerset employment site if amended plans are approved.

SHAL Housing Ltd., which is based in Bridgwater, has put forward revised proposals for 14 new affordable homes south of its 16 existing properties on Lavers Close in Woolavington.

If approved, the new homes will be only a mile from the Gravity enterprise zone, which is currently under construction and could end up creating thousands of well-paid jobs.

The new homes will range from two to three bedrooms in size, with the existing Lavers Close access road being extended to the south.

The land lies immediately to the east of a larger site where Gladman Developments attempted to secure permission for 95 homes off Woolavington Road – only for permission to be refused on two separate occasions.

A spokesman for GCP Chartered Accountants (representing the applicant) said: “The site has easy access to bus routes, play areas, Woolavington Village Primary School and Woolavington Surgery, and will benefit from the local services including shop, post office, pharmacy, hairdresser and garages.

“The site has low risk of surface water flooding in the long term, and very low risk of river or sea flooding.

“Development on this site can utilise passive solar design to achieve comfortable, modern homes with low energy demands.

“The site therefore offers an excellent opportunity to provide affordable homes meeting local need.”

Woolavington has seen significant interest from housing developers as the Gravity proposals have taken shape and the new access road connecting the site to the A39 has been constructed.

In addition to the Woolavington Road site, Gladman applied to build 125 homes on Cossington Lane – but the plans were twice turned down by council officers.

Wainhomes Severn Valley Ltd. secure permission in September 2020 to build 175 new homes west of the B3141 Woolavington Hill, on the condition that the existing T-junction with the A39 Bath Road be replaced with a new roundabout.

Plans for 120 new homes in the neighbouring village of Puriton were approved in May – but construction of these homes cannot be completed until a planned upgrade of the Dunball roundabout (near junction 23 of the M5) has been successfully undertaken.

The council is expected to make a decision on the Lavers Close proposals by the early autumn. Its executive committee is expected to discuss the delivery of the Gravity site when it meets in Bridgwater on Wednesday morning (July 6).