Plans have been revealed for up to 250 new homes near a well-loved stretch of woodland in Somerset, close to the King’s Cliff forest walk in the Quantock Hills. The proposed development by Barwood Land on Shovel Lane is set to enhance the local area while preserving green buffers that have diminished due to recent housing growth in North Petherton.
Over the last decade, North Petherton has experienced significant expansion, prompting concerns over pressure on local services and shrinking green spaces between the town and Bridgwater. This latest proposal is part of several developments at various stages around the town, including a new GP surgery planned to replace the current facility on Church Walk.
Positioned west of Shovel Lane and south of a 140-home development by Bloor Homes South West, the new estate will feature a new junction onto the A38 Taunton Road, with Shovel Lane accessed via a T-junction. Pedestrian pathways will connect residents to Shovel Lane and Cliff Road, placing the community just minutes from the King’s Cliff area, managed by Forestry England.
Importantly, 30 percent of the homes—approximately 75 properties—will be designated as affordable in keeping with the Sedgemoor Local Plan. To foster community spirit and green living, the development will also include a community orchard along with extensive landscaping along the western boundary to serve as a natural buffer to the neighboring countryside.
A spokesperson from Carney Sweeney, representing Barwood Land, emphasized the planned development’s commitment to creating a vibrant, well-connected neighborhood. Residents will enjoy proximity to North Petherton’s amenities such as shops, schools, sports clubs, and eateries. The area is also supported by regular bus routes to Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, and Taunton, underscoring its sustainable location for growth.
The site’s existing hedgerows and landscape features will be preserved to maintain a natural environment and provide an attractive framework for the housing expansion.
Local residents are invited to review and comment on the initial designs of the Shovel Lane development by visiting www.carneysweeney.co.uk/consultations/shovel-lane.html or emailing [email protected] by July 6.
Following input from the community, Barwood Land plans to submit an outline planning application to Somerset Council by late summer. The council will conduct further consultations with residents and statutory bodies, aiming to reach a decision early next year. Given the scale of the project, the final decision may be made in public by the planning committee north, which oversees major applications within the former Sedgemoor area.
Barwood Land, headquartered near Northampton, is also consulting on another major project involving 360 homes, a community hub, and a new country park on the northern edge of Frome.