Artist's impression of public open space and play area within the Bower Lane development in Bridgwater(Image: Thrive Architects)An MP has blasted the 'unacceptable' proposal to construct 750 homes adjacent to the M5 submitted plans in October 2023 for a significant development between Bower Lane and the M5 at Bridgwater The firm presented revised proposals for the site following a viability assessment that determined providing over 200 affordable homes on the site is not feasible After a public meeting was met with a backlash from local residents, Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox penned a letter to Somerset Council, urging them to reject the plans claiming they would 'place an intolerable burden' on Bridgwater's population The proposed site is located at the northern tip of the East Bridgwater allocation between the Polden Bower special needs school and the Strawberry Grange development where Countryside Partnerships is currently constructing 260 homes If greenlit, the new homes will be built in three stages A new primary school is set to be built near Bower Lane, with a target completion date around July 2030. This coincides with the occupancy of 556 new homes as part of the development phases two and three, reports Somerset Live Newly-elected Mr Fox shared his opinions in a letter addressed to Councillor Mike Rigby who holds the portfolio for economic development Mr Fox said: "While I am not opposed to development in principle properly planned and backed by the local infrastructure that local residents and future home-owners will rely on this proposal falls far short of what is acceptable." As per the requirements of the Sedgemoor Local Plan any housing project proposing ten or more homes should include 30 per cent as affordable housing This translates to 225 affordable houses within the new scheme primary school and community facility on Bower Lane in Bridgwater(Image: Thrive Architects)Nonetheless a viability assessment conducted by Alder King suggests that adhering to this mandate might not be economically feasible given the land's value there's a possibility that the developer could propose fewer affordable homes or even none pursuing a profit margin that aligns with their investment Mr Fox declared such a situation "unacceptable" and said: "If developers overpay for land then they should bear responsibility for that rather than expect[ing] the taxpayer to pay for the vital services that should accompany major developments "If the scheme is truly unviable without proper community investment then it is the wrong scheme for this site." The council's bid for £7.8m for new school places in eastern Bridgwater and NHS Somerset integrated care board's plea for £418,000 to ease the strain on local GP services have hit a roadblock as the developer refuses to foot the bill Meanwhile, Mr Fox has slammed the local authority for how it's managed recent major roadworks, warning the planned developments will only add to the daily traffic snarl-up East Bridgwater residents battle via Bath Road and Westonzoyland Road. Drawing attention to the potential gridlock, he said: "Residents already face daily congestion entering east Bridgwater via Bath Road and Westonzoyland Road, and this development would only make matters worse. "There must be a serious and deliverable plan in place - fully funded by the developer - to address the cumulative impact on local roads." Artist's impression of spine road within the Bower Lane development in Bridgwater(Image: Thrive Architects)He also flagged up the necessity of factoring in the associated disruption from another nearby housing project, adding: "The plan must also consider the combined effect of this proposal alongside the nearby Folletts Farm development." Traffic woes look set to continue with the construction timeline of the key spine road linking the homes to the A39 Bath Road stretching from September 2026 to March 2029, which will see southbound cars funnelling through Strawberry Grange estate towards the fresh roundabout connecting the A372 to the looming development of 530 houses at Folletts Farm on Dunwear Lane. Bower Lane is set for a revamp to become a haven for walkers and cyclists, complete with cycle lanes along the adjacent spine road. However, local criticism flares as Mr Fox highlights the council's poor track record with infrastructure projects. "The council has already demonstrated through its recent conduct - such as scheduling works at the Dunball junction and the A39 at the same time - that it struggles to coordinate major infrastructure works. It is critical that the mistakes of the past are not repeated." Phasing plan for 750 homes, primary school and community facility on Bower Lane in Bridgwater(Image: Thrive Architects)He urged for comprehensive traffic and planning analysis, calling the current proposal "unacceptable" and a threat to locals' quality of life. Adding to the voices of concern, East Quay Medical Centre, a primary healthcare provider for Bridgwater residents, opposes the development on grounds of limited capacity. Practice manager Rachel Stark's statement paints a grim picture: "We are not able to absorb the increased patients resulting from this or any other development within our local area." She details how services are already stretched thin: "Our existing physical infrastructure and our operational funding cannot accommodate any increase in patients. "Our services are already overstretched, with waiting lists being longer than we would like, and further patients would put patients and staff at risk." Bridgwater Town Council has already cast their votes against the proposed plans, with Bridgwater Without Parish Council set to make its own formal recommendation later in May. The final verdict on the matter is anticipated to be delivered by Somerset Council's northern planning committee come autumn. BRIDGWATER’S MP has slammed “unacceptable” plans to build 750 homes on the eastern edge of the town, right next to the M5. Edward Ware (Bridgwater) Ltd. put forward plans in October 2023 for a major development between Bower Lane and the M5, comprising up to 750 houses, a primary school and a community facility. Following a negative reaction from local residents at a public meeting on April 24, Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox has now written to Somerset Council urging them to refuse permission, arguing the current plans would “place an intolerable burden” on the people of Bridgwater. The new homes, if approved, will be delivered in three phases from north to south A new primary school will be delivered near Bower Lane between the phase two and three parcels by July 2030 – around the time that 556 of the new homes had been completed and occupied. Mr Fox conveyed his thoughts in a published letter to Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets. He said: “While I am not opposed to development in principle, it must be sustainable, properly planned and backed by the local infrastructure that local residents and future home-owners will rely on.” The council had originally requested £7.8m for new school places in eastern Bridgwater, with the NHS Somerset integrated care board putting in a request for £418,000 to mitigate pressures on GP services – with the developer arguing it would not be able to provide this funding. Mr Fox also criticised the council’s recent handling of major roadworks in and around Bridgwater, arguing that the plans in their current form would lead to increased congestion on the town’s arterial roads. He said: “Residents already face daily congestion entering east Bridgwater via Bath Road and Westonzoyland Road, and this development would only make matters worse. “There must be a serious and deliverable plan in place – fully funded by the developer – to address the cumulative impact on local roads.” The spine road linking the homes to the A39 Bath Road will be completed between September 2026 and March 2029, with southbound traffic moving through the Strawberry Grange estate to the recently completed roundabout which links the A372 to a planned development of 530 homes at Folletts Farm on Dunwear Lane. Bower Lane itself will be downgraded between the two spine road junctions, providing a safe, quiet route for pedestrians and cyclists (on top of cycle lanes which will be provided along the length of the spine road). Mr Fox continued: “In its current form, this proposal is unacceptable and would place an intolerable burden on Bridgwater residents.” The East Quay Medical Centre, one of Bridgwater’s main doctors’ surgeries, has also formally objected to the proposed development, arguing that it cannot accommodate any further patients without significant investment. Bridgwater Town Council has already voted to recommend refusal of the plans, with Bridgwater Without Parish Council expected to make its own formal recommendation later in May. A final decision is expected to be taken by Somerset Council’s planning committee north in the autumn. 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You can change your cookie settings at any time Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports A major milestone has been reached in the construction of the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier with the arrival of a jack up barge from Liverpool Jack up barges provide a stable working platform for the construction and servicing of structures in marine or fluvial environments the Haven SeaSeven will enable construction of the cofferdam an enclosure pumped dry to allow work below the water level and bearing piles for the barrier’s foundations The Haven SeaSeven on its approach to the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier works location the impressive structure will be a dominant feature on the Bridgwater landscape as construction progresses over the coming months taking into account optimal tides to ensure a safe and efficient voyage the barge docked at Barry Port where a 300-tonne crane was loaded before continuing its journey to Bridgwater on 12 March which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager for Wessex The jack up barge is a critical piece of infrastructure and its arrival in Bridgwater marks an exciting milestone in the construction of what will be one of the biggest flood defence schemes in the country The barrier will be a hugely positive asset for the town and surrounding areas reducing flood risk and bringing significant economic benefits for years to come anything that reduces the flood risk in the county is welcome alongside work to help communities adapt and become more resilient to flooding operations director for the Environment Agency framework It’s brilliant to see the progress on both sides of the River Parrett including the arrival of the jack up barge It’s a significant step in this vital flood defence scheme to protect Somerset communities This barrier will be a monumental achievement that will help to protect the Bridgwater area for decades One of the main targets of Somerset’s 20 Year Flood Action Plan was to get a barrier completed more quickly I’m happy the SRA has been able to help do that The jack up barge on its journey down the River Parrett the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier will better protect 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses from tidal flooding in Bridgwater and nearby communities and provide £2 billion in benefits to the local area operational site with control building and store and 12 upstream sites with improved fish and eel passage For the latest updates on the barrier, register for our mailing list by contacting bridgwater.barrier@environment-agency.gov.uk Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.