WORK is underway for more than 230 homes in Bridgwater on land bordered by the M5 A39, Bristol to Exeter railway line and Cellophane Ponds.

Bloors Homes South West were granted planning permission in April 2023 to build 237 dwellings on land adjacent to Kings Drive. Contractors from Bristol-based CJL Contractors have since started groundworks to prepare the site.

The land, which is referred to as ‘Parcel B’ in planning documentation, forms part of original plans submitted back in 2008 to build 2,000 dwellings, a commercial centre, primary school and up to 110,000 square metres of employment development.

Various parcels of land have since had planning permission submitted for residential development. The 237 dwellings will comprise of 184 dwellings for the open market, including 100 three bed properties. It will also see 53 affordable dwellings, with 26 properties earmarked for shared ownership. All dwellings are to be two storeys in height and finished with red brick.

A delegated report published on Somerset Council’s planning portal states: “The application is part of a reserved matters related to the outline permission for 2000 dwellings. The policy team has confirmed that of the 2000 there remains sufficient residual numbers of units to accommodate the 237 coming forward as part of this application”

It continues: “The scheme provides an appropriate and diverse mix of house types and tenures. The affordable properties are spread throughout the scheme whilst still being clustered into small groups to make management by the registered provider more straightforward.”

The development will be neighboured by parcels of land in the north already occupied or under construction. Access will be via an existing access point which connects to the North East Bridgwater spine road. In addition, a 4-metre-high timber acoustic barrier is proposed on the eastern side of the site to provide noise mitigation from the motorway.