Plans to construct 750 new homes in Bridgwater, located between Bower Lane and the M5 motorway, are currently on hold as the government evaluates whether to call in the application for a public inquiry.
Somerset Council’s planning committee recently approved the proposal submitted by Edward Ware (Bridgwater) Ltd, which also includes provisions for a primary school and a community hub. However, following this decision, local concerns have prompted further scrutiny.
Hugh Williams, chairman of the Somerset branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), requested the government impose a ‘holding direction’. This means Somerset Council is temporarily prevented from issuing planning permission until specific issues are addressed.
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The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has granted this holding direction and is now determining whether the application should be called in for a public inquiry.
In his correspondence with the National Planning Casework Unit (NPCU), Mr Williams highlighted significant concerns regarding infrastructure contributions and contended that the proposals conflict with national planning policies. He referenced objections from all nine local GP surgeries, emphasising patient safety risks, diminished care quality, and insufficient consideration of the cumulative impact from existing developments.
Mr Williams pointed out that without fully funded and deliverable plans for additional primary care capacity - including facilities, staff expansion, and long-term operational funding - the healthcare implications of the development are unacceptable. He noted that the proposed Section 106 contributions towards healthcare amount to only £173,000, which he described as wholly inadequate given the scale of need.
Additionally, Mr Williams criticised the provision of just six per cent affordable housing (approximately 45 homes) on the site, describing it as insufficient to meet local demand. He acknowledged that the site’s characteristics, such as its low-lying nature and the requirement for deep piling and noise barriers adjacent to the motorway, present challenges and costs.
He suggested that a higher density development on a smaller portion of the site could reduce some construction complexities while allowing for a greater percentage of affordable homes in an area facing severe shortages.
Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, has also written to the NPCU backing the government’s review and potential call-in of the application. He expressed support for responsible housing development in the area but stressed that such schemes must include adequate infrastructure to support new residents.
“I remain concerned that this development does not provide enough affordable housing or adequately address the pressures it will place on our GP surgeries, schools and roads,” Sir Ashley stated. He welcomed the decision for a governmental review and has encouraged the call-in process.
In response to Mr Williams' letter, case officer Rachael Beard from the NPCU confirmed that the holding direction, also known as an Article 31 direction, was applied on 22 September concerning the Bower Lane application. She added that the outcome of the government’s assessment will be communicated in due course.