Eleven new affordable homes are set to be built in Spaxton, a small village near Bridgwater, after local councillors unanimously approved the development. Joint proposals from Aster Housing and Spaxton Community Land Trust, submitted in June 2025, envision constructing a mix of one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses on Peartwater Road, just north of the village allotments.
Somerset Council’s planning officers initially recommended rejecting the scheme, but the planning committee north overruled this advice during their meeting in Bridgwater, paving the way for construction to begin later this year.
The development will be accessed via a new junction on Peartwater Road at the village’s western edge, which is situated between Bridgwater and the scenic Quantock Hills national landscape. A pedestrian pathway through the allotments will provide a safe route to the High Street and surrounding village amenities.
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To enhance the environment, the land north of the new homes will be converted into a wildflower meadow, offering a green buffer and delivering the mandatory 10% biodiversity net gain required by national planning policies.
These homes will be offered at social rent to those with local ties to Spaxton. Currently, 26 individuals on the Homefinder Somerset housing register are seeking accommodation in the area, highlighting the community’s need for affordable housing options.
While local resident Christopher Morton expressed concern about the site’s suitability and potential traffic and parking issues, others supported the plans. Anthony Betty, representing Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox, emphasized the urgent need for affordable housing, noting that none had been built in Spaxton for approximately 50 years.
CPRE Somerset praised the design, stating it respects the village’s rural character. Trustee Fletcher Robinson highlighted the development as a high-quality, community-focused project that sets a new standard for rural housing, receiving strong support from local residents.
Councillors Matt Martin and Alan Bradford echoed this positive sentiment, citing widespread community approval and the pressing demand for such housing in Spaxton.
After two hours of debate, the planning committee unanimously approved the scheme, marking an important step toward addressing the local affordable housing shortage in this rural village.