Plans have been unveiled for nearly 300 additional homes on the western edge of Bridgwater, potentially expanding the town’s housing stock significantly. Cavanna Homes South West Ltd. and Martin Grant Homes are progressing with the Centenary Heights development, which will ultimately feature 675 homes, alongside a primary school and community hub north of the A39 Quantock Road.
Construction is currently focused on creating two new junctions along Quantock Road to support the development. The first phase of homes is anticipated to be completed by summer 2026. In addition, a separate development of 352 homes by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley is underway south of Quantock Road, set to connect through one of these new junctions.
In late June, Cavanna Homes revealed initial plans for up to 300 homes west of the existing site, including proposals for a care home and a medical centre. After consultation and refinement, the figures have been adjusted to 275 homes, with a formal planning application expected to be submitted to Somerset Council before the end of the year.
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These plans were formally presented to over 100 community members at a public drop-in event held at Wembdon Village Hall on September 29. The existing Centenary Heights project currently features two phases: phase one with 238 homes (fully approved) and phase two with 437 homes (outline permission only).
The proposed phase three will connect via the signalised junction from phase one to Quantock Road. Green buffers will be preserved to maintain separation from nearby Cokerhurst Farm and the Greenway Farm wedding venue on Skimmerton Lane. Importantly, these homes will be within walking distance of the planned primary school (funded by various local developments and delivered by Somerset Council) and the relocated Haygrove School, scheduled for completion by September 2028.
While the consultation mentions a care home and medical centre in earlier drafts, there is no explicit confirmation that these will be part of phase three. However, the medical centre might be included within the “neighbourhood centre” previously approved in phase one.
A Cavanna Homes spokesperson emphasized the sustainable transport focus of the development: “The proposed development will extend the spine road, enabling a bus route through all three phases. There are signed cycle routes connecting Wembdon with Bridgwater and the National Cycle Network route 3, which links to Taunton and Glastonbury. We also see future potential for a strategic cycle corridor to Cannington via Wembdon Hill and Skimmerton Lane.”
They added, “Ecological considerations have been prioritized, with efforts to preserve hedgerows, woodlands, and existing wildlife habitats wherever possible.”
Local resident Mark Phillips expressed concerns, noting that Cavanna Homes may start work on phase three before completing phase one. He also suggested that Martin Grant Homes intends to sell its land in phase two, which currently has no confirmed builder. Phillips highlighted ongoing uncertainties about bus routes and infrastructure: “Phase two, located behind Inwood Road, Risedale Close, and Wembdon Hill, remains unassigned, and delivery of the bus route and bus gate near Inwood Road depends on many unknowns.”
Cavanna Homes declined to comment on phase two’s status, stating, “We are responsible for phase three, which is currently open for public consultation, and we welcome resident feedback. We cannot comment on other phases at this time.”
Residents wishing to provide feedback on the phase three proposals can visit www.cavannaconsultation.co.uk/wembdon. The formal planning application is expected to be submitted to Somerset Council by Christmas, with a decision anticipated by summer 2026. Construction, if approved, would begin in 2027.
Attempts to obtain comments from Martin Grant Homes were met with no response.