The number of homes being built near the M5 in Bridgwater could soon be nearly doubled under new proposals.

The land east of Bower Lane and Dunwear Lane is identified for future housing growth within the council’s Local Plan, which runs until 2032.

Countryside Partnerships is currently delivering a development of 260 homes on the north side of the A372 Westonzoyland Road. A decision is expected shortly on plans for a further 560 homes on the southern side of the same road.

Now Edward Ware Homes has teased proposals for a further 750 homes on Bower Lane, along with a new primary school and the completion of a spine road linking the A372 to the A39 Bath Road.

The council’s Local Plan identifies the land between the M5 and the existing homes to provide 'around 1,200' homes, a primary, a “neighbourhood centre” with community shops and facilities, and a spine road to connect the new homes to the local road network.

Part of the site in question has already been developed, with the land nearest Bridgwater Community Hospital at the northern end of the site being turned into the Polden Bower specialist school.

Edward Ware Homes, based in Bristol, submitted an initial inquiry to the council, asking for preliminary feedback plans for up to 750 homes on the land between the specialist school and the Countryside site.

The proposed spine road will link up with the Strawberry Grange access road and the planned new roundabout on the A372, running through to link up with Bower Lane near the hospital.

According to the illustrative master plan, the new school will be built a short distance away from The Bower Inn, with a new play area and multi-use games area also being provided nearby.

A spokesman for Alder King Planning Consultants (representing the applicant) said: “The proposed development will be designed to be highly permeable on foot and cycle with both north-south and east-west links provided, including linking to the existing public footpath over the M5 to Bower Lane.

“It will also ensure appropriate vehicular access to the new spine road is provided to existing properties currently served by Bower Lane, in order to minimise vehicles on the lane and prioritise its use by pedestrians and cyclists.”

When combined with the Strawberry Grange and Dunwear Lane proposals, these latest proposals would take the total number of homes being delivered within the Local Plan allocation to 1,570.

Dean Titchener, the council’s principal planning officer, said: “The scoping request proposes a scheme of up to 750 dwellings.

“Combined with existing consented and pending applications for the other parts of the East Bridgwater allocation, the total number of dwellings proposed would exceed the 1,200 homes set in the Local Plan.

“Construction and operation of the proposal has the potential for significant environmental effects. These effects may arise in regard to the strategic highway network (notably M5 junctions 23 and 24) and the local highway network.”

Formal plans for developing this section of the Bower Lane site are expected to be submitted within the next couple of months.