85 Woolavington homes could be added to the village

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A further 85 new homes could be delivered near Somerset's new £4bn 'gigafactory' under new proposals teased by a major developer.

The village of Woolavington, which lies to the east of the Gravity enterprise zone, is seeing significant interest from housing developers as Agratas moves forward with the delivery of its new electric vehicle 'gigafactory', which will begin operation in 2027.

Several new developments have been teased since Agratas confirmed its investment in February 2024, ranging from a major new 1,400-home development on the western edge of the village to several sites on the eastern side of the parish.

READ MORE: Woolavington housing development near gigafactory lapses | Bridgwater Mercury

Gladman Developments has now published initial proposals for 85 homes on Woolavington Road, asking for residents' feedback before a formal planning application is submitted to Somerset Council later in the year.

The site comprises two agricultural fields on the southern side of Woolavington Road, opposite the village's GP surgery and within walking distance of both the primary school and the 37 Sports and Social Club (which is expected to be demolished and replaced with a new facility on the eastern edge of Puriton).

The new homes, if approved, would be sandwiched between two other developments - with Bridgwater-based SHAL Housing currently constructing 14 low-cost homes off Lavers Close to the north, and Persimmon Homes Severn Valley intending to create the 'West Woolavington' development to the south (comprising 1,400 homes, commercial space, a primary school and football pitches).

Access will be provided onto Woolavington Road, staggered to the west of the Lynham Close junction, with a separate pedestrian access being provided onto Higher Road.

Of the 85 homes planned for the site, 26 will be affordable - meeting the council's 30 per cent target for any new development of ten homes or more within the former Sedgemoor area.

Gladman (which is based in Congleton) previously attempted to secure permission for 95 homes on the same site, but withdrew its appeal against Sedgemoor District Council in July 2020.

A spokesman said: "We are currently at the stage of preparing an outline planning application to support the residential development of this site.

"We will consider all comments submitted as part of this public consultation, which will influence our proposals.

"A summary of the feedback received through this consultation will be provided in a statement of community involvement, which will form part of our planning application.

"The local planning authority will then consider the submitted evidence and plans and determine the application."

In addition to these developments on the western side of Woolavington, several sites have been identified for housing growth on the eastern and southern sides of the village.

South West Strategic Developments (which previously put forward plans for new homes on the Loadpool Farm site in Othery) teased plans in May for 170 homes stradding Combe Lane, with a new spine road connecting the B3141 Woolavington Hill to Vicarage Road.

Bloor Homes South West published proposals around the same time for 150 homes north of Cossington Lane - a site where Gladman previously tried to secure permission for 125 homes, which lies less than a mile from the recently revamped Lock's Way active travel route.

To the south, Wain Homes is expected to resubmit plans for 175 homes on the western side of Woolavington Hill, after its previous permission lapsed in mid-March.

Woolavington's GP surgery missed out on recently announced funding from the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) to expand 16 surgeries across Somerset - though some funding will be provided to the facility in the nearby village of Edington.

To give your views on Gladman's proposals, visit www.your-views.co.uk/woolavingtonrd or write to YourViews Woolavington, Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, CW12 1LB.