Plans to build up to 750 new homes, along with a primary school and community hub, near the M5 motorway in Bridgwater have been approved by councillors, despite strong local concerns and criticism that the proposals are “woefully inadequate”. The development, proposed by Edward Ware (Bridgwater) Ltd., will be situated between Bower Lane and the motorway at the eastern edge of the town.
Earlier this year, Somerset Council’s planning committee north postponed a decision on the plans citing the low percentage of affordable housing included and concerns over insufficient funding for NHS services. However, on 8 September, the committee narrowly approved the scheme, although various local residents voiced fears that the development would put additional strain on local services.
The designated site is part of the Sedgemoor Local Plan for future housing growth and is expected to provide approximately 1,200 homes by 2032 in total. Nearby, the Strawberry Grange development is delivering 260 homes north of the A372, and outline permission has been granted for 530 homes on the Folletts Farm site to the south.
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The Edward Ware site lies close to Bridgwater Community Hospital, the new NHS diagnostic centre, and Polden Bower special needs school. The planned development will be delivered in three phases, beginning from the northern end, and will include a new primary school and community hub near the Bower Inn, alongside significant green spaces.
Key features of the plan include a spine road linking the A39 Bath Road to Westonzoyland Road via Strawberry Grange. Bower Lane is to be mostly closed off to traffic to create a green corridor for pedestrians and cyclists, enhancing connections to the nearby Whitfield Road play area.
A major point of contention has been the low level of affordable housing. Typically, developments of this size in the former Sedgemoor area are expected to include 30 per cent affordable housing, equating to 225 homes for this scheme. The developer argues that such a requirement would render the project financially unviable due to costs associated with the spine road and the primary school land. Initially offering five per cent affordable housing, this has since been increased slightly to six per cent (45 homes) after interest from the Abri housing association.
Regarding NHS contributions, Edward Ware has pledged nearly £174,000 towards expanding or improving a nearby medical centre, though NHS Somerset has yet to confirm which site would benefit. Bridgwater Bay primary care network has warned that all its nine GP practices are already operating beyond capacity.
Local residents have expressed worries that the proposed spine road will not adequately relieve traffic congestion at critical junctions, and some fear the road will carry heavy goods vehicles unsuitable for its design. Environmental concerns were raised about the impact on green spaces and wildlife habitats, with children highlighting diminishing access to nature and outdoor play areas.
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues acknowledged improvements in the plans but emphasised they fell short of what Bridgwater needs. Other councillors echoed concerns about traffic congestion, viability, insufficient affordable housing, and stretched healthcare and educational services.
Despite a motion to reject the plans, the committee voted five to two in favour of approval, with three abstentions. Following this decision, legal agreements between the council and developer will be finalised, allowing the submission of detailed design and layout plans for each phase. Recent changes to UK planning laws mean these subsequent decisions are likely to be made under officers' delegated powers, although they could return to committee if deemed necessary by local members.
The approving of this development represents a significant step in Bridgwater’s housing growth plans but has highlighted ongoing tensions between development objectives and local concerns regarding affordability, infrastructure capacity, and environmental preservation.