Construction of 361 new homes near the M5 in Bridgwater is set to begin promptly following unanimous approval of revised plans. Originally granted planning permission in February 2024 to BoKlok Housing Ltd., the Bridgwater Gateway site north of the A38 Taunton Road will now be developed by Keepmoat Homes in partnership with housing association LiveWest, following their land acquisition and submission of amended proposals in July 2025.
Somerset Council’s planning committee praised the updated designs for their traditional style, a departure from BoKlok’s earlier modular approach. Keepmoat Homes, headquartered in Doncaster, will oversee development on the central and eastern parts of the site, while Vistry Partnerships is responsible for the western edge, which will feature an additional 150 homes.
The new residential area will sit north of existing industrial units on Carnival Way, as well as retail outlets including Lidl, Domino’s Pizza, and Greggs. Access routes will include Carnival Way and Compass Avenue, connected by a new central spine road.
READ MORE: Cyclist Injured in Bridgwater Hit-and-Run Incident
READ MORE: Famous South West Beach Gains Official Bathing Water Status for Summer
Key changes introduced by Keepmoat and LiveWest include an increase in affordable housing units from 36 to 51. Seventy-five percent of these will be social rent properties, with the remaining 25 percent offered as shared ownership homes. David Summerhill, LiveWest’s Southwest regional business head, emphasized the development’s focus on meeting diverse needs, including first-time buyers, families, and downsizers. He confirmed readiness to proceed immediately upon planning consent.
The scheme also allocates over £212,000 in contributions toward local GP surgeries, potentially benefiting Somerset Bridge Medical Centre or North Petherton Surgery. The latter may be replaced as part of a separate 64-home development.
Councillor Bob Filmer (Conservative, Brent) welcomed the transition to traditional house designs, noting that the originally approved modular homes had not materialized as expected. He highlighted the inclusion of smaller two- and three-bedroom houses, which are in high demand locally, as a positive development.
Keepmoat Homes has prior experience in Bridgwater, having developed 159 homes at the Parade on Bristol Road and 58 homes at Steart Farm in Cheddar. Councillor Alan Bradford (Conservative, North Petherton) also praised the new designs and urged the developers to commence construction swiftly, expressing frustration at delays.
Following about 45 minutes of discussion, the planning committee unanimously approved the revised plans. Construction is anticipated to begin before the end of the year, bringing much-needed, well-designed housing to the Bridgwater area.