Residents and local officials are voicing concerns over a proposed housing development in Bridgwater, Somerset, which includes plans for up to 750 homes and a primary school. The site is located just off Crow Lane, between Bower Lane and the M5 motorway. Its timing and preparedness on infrastructure has sparked a fierce grassroots argument.
That encouraging development, first reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, would be done by 2032 at the latest. According to local directives, the deal now guarantees that no less than 30% of the residences will be built as affordable housing units. A recent viability assessment has raised the alarm over whether it’s even economically feasible to meet this requirement. The proposed site is now under fire.
Edward Ware Homes, the developer behind the smart growth focused winning proposal, admitted that the new assessment for viability requirement made it a tough task. They admitted that meeting the 30% affordable housing requirement would be tough. They argue that it’s not too late to build in at least a few affordable units to the plan.
“It may be that some affordable housing can be included in our scheme. The council will be the judge of that, and could reduce some of the other contributions we are being asked to make, and divert that money into affordable housing.” – Edward Ware Homes
Localized resident outcry centered specifically on the order of development, with locals noting that they should not have to wait for better infrastructure in favor of housing development. As I pointed out in an article about the first houseboat resident’s arrival, laid-back neighbors are the least of Bridgwater’s problems.
“Why are houses being put in before the infrastructure? It all seems backwards to me – how can it be allowed to happen?” – Resident
The proposal will help meet the increasing demand for new homes in Bridgwater. The need for appropriate infrastructure to support such a large development remains a significant issue for many community members. Their concerns are part of the larger fear that housing development will outweigh community service supports.
Negotiations continue. Edward Ware Homes—as well as future developers and local authorities—need to work through the complicated intersection of affordable housing requirements and the state’s infrastructure readiness to make this work. The whole community will be looking for more details about what happens with the proposal and what this means for Bridgwater’s future.
