Proposals ‘not likely to have significant effect’ on environment’
The plans for 400 homes, commercial space, community hub, orchards and allotments on the A38 Bristol Road in Puriton(Image: Edge Urban Design)
Plans for 400 new homes near the M5 are “not likely to have significant effects on the environment”, according to Somerset’s planning officers.
Mac Mic Strategic Land teased initial proposals (known as a screening request) in mid-February to deliver a new housing development between the A38 Bristol Road and Pawlett Road, north of the Dunball services on the northern edge of Bridgwater.
The proposed development will also include a limited amount of commercial space, a community hub or similar facility, a community orchard and allotments.
These plans have cleared the first hurdle after Somerset Council ruled that an environmental impact assessment for the site would not be required.
The site lies to the north of the existing homes on Downend Road, which form part of the neighbouring village of Puriton.
The sole vehicular access will be onto Bristol Road, with a new junction being offset from the current entrance to the British Car Auctions business.
Several points of pedestrian access will be created onto Downend Road and Pawlett Road, with the potential to improve the existing pedestrian route over the M5 via the existing footbridge.
An existing public right of way running north to south within the site, providing a link between Downend Road and Pawlett Road, will also be enhanced as part of the development proposals.
Of the 400 homes proposed, “at least 30 per cent” will be affordable – the equivalent of 120 properties.
The proposed community hub and commercial premises will be delivered near the western entrance of the site, and could include a gym, leisure facilities or other similar amenities.
A spokesperson for Carney Sweeney (representing the land promoter) said: “This element of the scheme seeks to provide a welcoming gateway to the site and to encourage vibrancy in the new community.
“The site’s proximity to the Hinkley Point C park and ride facility to the west and the Gravity enterprise zone to the east means the site is primely located, with excellent connectivity and access to key regional economic hubs.
“The development proposal therefore presents a unique opportunity to establish a sustainable and well-integrated extension to Bridgwater, that can deliver much-needed housing in proximity to existing and proposed strategic employment development.”
The proposed orchards and allotments will be delivered at the eastern edge of the site, as part of a broader buffer between the new homes and the railway line.
The existing footbridge over the M5 near Puriton, pictured in February 2024(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
If the development is approved, it will considerably expand the village of Puriton, creating a community of two halves divided by the motorway and the Bristol to Exeter railway line.
Those living in this new ‘western neighbourhood’ will have only two means to access the existing village facilities, including the primary school and village hall: either by using the existing footbridge, or by driving across the motorway via the recently-upgraded Dunball roundabout and the A39.
The Puriton Neighbourhood Plan, which was formally ratified in August 2024, does not allocate this site – or any other in the village – for future residential development.
The Dunball roundabout, Downend Lane and the existing M5 footbridge form part of the ‘purple route’ within the Bridgwater local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP), which will eventually run uninterrupted between Bridgwater town centre and the new gigafactory currently being constructed at the Gravity enterprise zone.
The council has approved the screening request, ruling that a more detailed environmental impact assessment for the proposed development will not be required.
Ellena Fletcher, the council’s principal planning officer, said: “The nature, scale and characteristics of the development are not considered likely to give rise to significant effects.
“We have concluded that an environmental impact assessment is not required as significant effects on the environment are not considered likely.”
More detailed plans for the proposed development are expected to come forward by the early summer.
Due to the scale and significance of the proposals, any more detailed plans which are submitted after this decision will most likely be determined in public by its planning committee north (which handles major applications within the former Sedgemoor area).
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