Construction can now commence for 110 new Highbridge homes following the approval of a scheme to protect the homes from surface water flooding. Boklok Housing Ltd. gained detailed planning permission in December 2022 to build the homes between the existing Lakeside homes and the Walrow Ponds, extending the access road from the A38 Bristol Road.
The original outline plans, approved in February 2020 prior to Boklok’s acquisition of the site, required a drainage scheme to be agreed upon with the council before any development could start. Somerset Council’s planning committee north has now given the green light for construction work to begin, despite objections from local residents.
The disputed development site, located east of the Bristol to Exeter mainline, has been a point of contention for locals. The sale of the land to the developer for £350,000 was approved by Sedgemoor District Council in July 2020, despite calls from residents to preserve it as a “green lung”.
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The developer’s request to allow some work on site before finalizing the drainage scheme was also approved, aiming to expedite the delivery of the new homes. In a recent meeting, the council revealed that the drainage scheme had been agreed upon between the application submission in November 2024 and the meeting.
Despite objections regarding the impact on traffic and safety, the committee voted to approve the changes to the plans. Stuart Jones, a resident of the existing estate, requested a re-evaluation of the application based on the severe traffic difficulties posed by the development.
Nevertheless, the committee voted to approve the changes, with two abstentions and eight votes in favor.