Bridgwater planners approve 675 homes and new school

A 675-home housing estate and primary school have been approved despite concerns over traffic and sustainability.

The application is made up of detailed plans for 238 homes and outline permission for 437 houses, to be built on the western edge of Bridgwater.

Due to costs of a required road junction only 48 homes are affordable - below the council's 30% pledge.

Sedgemoor District Council's planners approved the application on Tuesday.

The vote went through with 10 votes for and five against with no abstentions.

Labour's Li Gibson said: "There is absolutely no social housing on this site.

"I think the traffic is going to be a complete nightmare - it already is in this area.

"It's going to create thousands of cars going in and out of this site, which will create more pollution."

She also highlighted the "lack of sustainability" and no use of solar panels on the homes.

Conservative Liz Perry added: "The main roundabout on the Quantock Road is absolutely gridlocked at peak times with traffic, all the way down to the NDR road - and not just with Hinkley Point traffic.

"I don't think a road that size can take more traffic."

Councillors were also told Somerset County Council was "satisfied" the A39 Quantock Road can take additional traffic caused by the development and the new junction would be fit for purpose.

The affordable homes were cut due to other obligations to build a new road junction and school by the developers, Cavanna Homes and Martin Grant Holdings.

Chairman of the development committee, Conservative Bob Filmer said: "I have an element of concern in the reduction of affordable housing.

"But we've heard the explanation, and sites can only generate a certain amount of local benefit."

Mike Smith, senior development manager at Cavanna Homes, said the homes would help meet housing numbers "while preventing speculative, unwelcome development".

The other developer said the plans had been developed over a number of years in consultation with the local community and Wemdon Parish Council.

The homes will be built on the north side of the A38, opposite the cemetery.

The primary school for 420 pupils will be built near a new access road close to Greenway Farm.