NEW travellers’ pitches will be constructed near the M5 after plans were approved by local councillors.

Harry Attwell applied to create two travellers’ pitches (including day rooms) on a brownfield site on Vole Road in Brent Knoll, a short distance from junction 22 of the motorway.

Mr Attwell intends for the site to provide a base for members of his family, including the pending birth of his granddaughter, as well as supporting their current business.

Somerset Council’s planning committee north unanimously backed the proposals when it met in Bridgwater on July 9, meaning the site could be delivered before Christmas.

The site lies just down the road from the Westbrook Farm Caravan Park on Harp Road, which was granted permission to expand back in September 2021.

In addition to the pitches and day rooms, a barn and a stable block will be constructed on site to support the family’s horse training business.

The site lies just over one-and-a-half miles from the Edithmead roundabout, which connects the M5 to Highbridge via the A38 Bristol Road – and which could be upgraded at a cost of £6.4m as part of a wider scheme of measures to ease congestion between Highbridge and Bristol Airport.

John Rooney of Stoke Morgan Planning (representing Mr Attwell) told the committee: “This will provide a permanent base for his family, including his first granddaughter who is expected later this month.

“One pitch is for my client, the other pitch is for his son and the son’s family.

“There are no objections from local residents on this scheme. It will be well-screened from public view, and the landscaping scheme will provide 250 metres of native hedgerow, which will have a clear ecological benefit.”

There is a shortage of traveller provision within the former Sedgemoor district, which has led to planning permission being granted to a number of smaller sites over the last 12 months.

These include four pitches being approved on Cossington Lane near Woolavington in December 2023, a further two pitches on the A39 Puriton Hill in May, and most recently retrospective permission for three pitches on Batch Road in Puriton in late-June.

Councillor Gill Slocombe (Bridgwater West) said: “These sites are greatly needed. There are no local people who have objected, and it’s great to find sites like this.”

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans after less than half an hour’s debate.