The leader of the Labour opposition group on Somerset Council has expressed strong criticism of the revised plans to build 220 new homes on the outskirts of Bridgwater.
Bloor Homes South West initially indicated in July 2025 their intention to construct up to 225 homes on land between Rhode Lane and the Hamp Brook, adjacent to the Wilstock Village housing estate. However, the developer submitted an outline planning application in January that slightly reduced the number of homes to 220.
More than 1,700 local people have signed an online petition opposing the development, citing concerns over the loss of public green space and the potential increase in traffic.
READ MORE: Iconic Bath Pub Faces Uncertain Future Amid Housing Development Plans
READ MORE: Yeovil Town Extend Unbeaten Run with Draw Against Worthing
Councillor Leigh Redman, a Bridgwater resident for over two decades and representative for Bridgwater North and Central, has voiced renewed opposition to the plans. He highlighted the risks the development poses to road safety and the significant pressure it would place on local wildlife habitats.
The site is designated in the Sedgemoor Local Plan as part of the Meads, an informal recreational green space through which the Hamp Brook and Durleigh Brook flow. This area plays a crucial role in flood prevention and supports biodiversity. Somerset Council and its predecessors have worked to enhance walking routes across the Meads, improving public access.
Situated west of existing homes on Risemoor Road, the development site is approximately a mile’s walk from the planned Wilstock Primary School on Cosmos Drive, which is now delayed until 2029.
Access to the new homes would be created at either end of Rhode Lane, with planned pedestrian and cycling links connecting to Risemoor Road, Rhode Lane, and existing footpaths across the Meads towards the Durleigh Gardens estate. The development would include a play area at the western edge and significant landscaping along the northern boundary to screen the homes and enhance biodiversity near Hamp Brook.
Out of the 220 homes, 66 would be affordable, meeting the council’s 30% affordable housing target for developments of ten or more homes in the former Sedgemoor area.
Councillor Redman emphasised his familiarity with the area and raised concerns that the developer’s updated documents fail to address key issues. He warned that the scale of development could compromise road safety, depend on complex drainage solutions in ground conditions that have already proved problematic, and threaten an important wildlife corridor.
Bloor Homes has delivered large housing developments in Bridgwater before, including hundreds of homes in Wilstock and Stockmoor villages, as well as 237 at Evergreen Parade near King’s Drive.
Councillor Redman highlighted that the revised site layout would create a “pinch point” at the entrance and the proposed attenuation ponds carry long-term drainage risks for the surrounding area, including existing homes near Hamp Brook and the Middlestream Rhyne.
Ecological surveys submitted by Bloor confirm the presence of legally protected species in or near the site, including ten bat species, hazel dormice, badgers, otters, water voles, and kingfishers.
He concluded by urging residents to continue objecting to the plans and called on the planning committee to heed the community’s concerns and reject the application in its current form.
The council is expected to reach a decision on the proposal later this year. Owing to the development’s size and importance, the decision will likely be made in public by the planning committee north, which oversees major applications in the former Sedgemoor area, rather than by planning officers under delegated authority.
Should the plans gain approval, a further reserved matters application concerning the detailed design and layout will need to be submitted and approved before construction can commence.