More than 50 new homes will be built near one of Somerset's major railway lines.

Hallam Land Management and Persimmon Homes Severn Valley have outline planning permission to deliver 2,000 homes between the A39 Bath Road and the Bristol to Exeter railway line in Bridgwater – along with 1,200 sq m of retail space, leisure facilities, a new primary school and other facilities.

Outline permission was secured in November 2020 to build up to 57 homes and a retail outlet on the corner of Ascot Drive and Kings Road, next to the crucial Bristol to Exeter mainline.

Persimmon has now been granted permission to build 53 new homes on the same site, with construction expected to move forward in the new year.

Much of the “north-east Bridgwater allocation” identified within the council’s Local Plan has already either been delivered or is currently under construction.

Sedgemoor District Council granted permission for 77 homes on the Sydenham Barn wedding venue in April, with a decision expected shortly on a further 98 homes south of the Willow Man sculpture.

A further 80 low-cost homes are being delivered on the eastern side of King’s Road, following a £15M investment by Vistry Partnerships.

This most recent site, to the northwest of the King’s Road roundabout, lies near the existing Mulberrys industrial unit and the main route into the Morrisons distribution centre, not far from the A38 Bristol Road.

The homes will range from two- to four-bedrooms in size, with a landscaping buffer being provided to minimise noise from the railway line.

Of the 53 new homes planned for the site, 16 will be affordable – meeting the council’s target of 30 per cent affordable housing for any new development of ten homes or more.

The homes will be delivered on the same access road from the Tesco Express convenience store, which is expected to open to the public on December 9, according to the retailer’s official website.

A spokesman for Persimmon said: “The overall layout and appearance for the proposed scheme is considered to be in keeping with the rest of the Bridgwater development site, which is largely already built out.

“It is considered that the quantum of development proposed is appropriate for this parcel of land and ensures that sufficient public open space and landscape buffer are provided.”

The plans were approved by the council’s planning officers through their delegated powers, rather than by a public decision from the development committee.

A council spokesman said: “It is not considered that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of existing residents given its separation distance from existing properties.”

Better pedestrian and cycling access will be provided along the A38 as part of a £10M programme to improve the ‘Bridgwater northern corridor’, funded by the government’s levelling up fund – which will make it easier for residents to access the town centre without using cars.