Primary school and 750 homes approved near M5

Plans for a major new housing development close to a busy stretch of motorway have been approved.

A primary school and 750 homes, along with other facilities, will be built at the site between Bower Lane and the M5 in Bridgwater, Somerset.

Some local residents had raised concerns over what they said were low levels of affordable housing included in the scheme and wanted to see more money contributed towards expanding the capacity at NHS GP surgeries in the town.

Developer Edward Ware Homes previously said the "much-needed" homes would help tackle the national housing shortfall.

The scheme had been branded as "backwards" during the planning process, when just 1% of the homes were expected to be classed as affordable.

The plans approved by Somerset Council's planning north committee on Tuesday included a condition that 6% of the homes should be affordable.

Under local guidance, any new development of 10 or more homes should provide 30% affordable housing, but a viability assessment said it would not be "economically viable" to do that on this site.

Councillor Matthew Martin, Lib Dem vice-chair of the planning committee, said the decision was "not taken lightly".

He said Bridgwater had taken "quite a hit" with new homes in recent years, but because the land had been allocated for housing and there was "nothing wrong with the application" in planning law, the committee had little choice but to approve it or face a costly appeal.

NHS Somerset had originally asked for £438,000 towards local GP services saying the four closest medical centres would not have capacity to look after an expected 1,665 new residents from the development.

However, in August NHS Somerset said it would accept a contribution of £173,000 from the developer, which was agreed by councillors at this week's meeting.

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