Committee approval for new Somerset development

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has secured a resolution to grant planning permission for 323 high-quality new homes in Bridgwater.

The five-star accredited housebuilder received approval yesterday from Somerset Council’s North Area Planning Committee for its hybrid application, which includes detailed plans for the first 111 homes on the initial phase of the site south of Quantock Road, in the west of the town.

Persimmon will now submit a detailed planning application for the second phase of 212 properties, following the committee’s earlier decision to grant outline permission for this part of the development.

All the homes – a mixture of two, three, and four-bed houses – delivered on-site will be zero carbon-ready, while 10% of them will be reserved for a local housing association to help tackle the Council’s housing waiting list.

The approval will see financial contributions from Persimmon including £2m for education services in the area and £2m for the Council to deliver off-site affordable housing. £479,000 will also go towards off-site highway improvements, £18,000 for a travel plan, and £22,250 for a neighbourhood centre delivered as part of the plan.

A Community Infrastructure Levy payment of £514,171 will be made as part of the first phase, and another £1,016,691 should Phase Two receive full permission. Two play areas, one on each phase, also make up the plans.

The scheme also has strong sustainability credentials as sustainable drainage solutions will be delivered in the form of two attenuation ponds, trees and hedgerow boundaries will be retained, and a dark corridor is proposed on Phase One. Pedestrian links throughout the phases will also create a sense of place and provide active travel opportunities.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes Severn Valley Managing Director Claire Burton, said:

“We are delighted to secure planning committee approval from Somerset Council for our application to bring much-needed new homes to Bridgwater.

“Our development at Quantock Road will be a huge boost to housing supply in the area and deliver substantial investment in local services and infrastructure improvements.

“Persimmon is very pleased to have worked constructively and intensively with the local authority to ensure our community contributions work in the best interests of local people.

“We look forward to starting construction of phase one, bringing forward our reserved matters application for phase two, and leaving a positive and lasting legacy in west Bridgwater.”