WORK is expected to start in the next few weeks on the remaining phase of the controversial 250-homes Liddymore Park development in Watchet.

Taunton-based housebuilder Summerfield Homes has so far built just 57 properties on the site, but was given the green light by planners shortly before Christmas to go ahead with the rest of the development.

Somerset Council’s planning committee approved the detail of remaining aspects of the 16-acre estate, which borders Knights Templar School, including access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, and cycle links.

Councillors agreed with the council’s case officer Paul Sherman that the next phase of the development would deliver much-needed new affordable and open market housing on a well-designed scheme.

The company has proposed to build a range of homes, including two, three, and four-bedroom houses and bungalows, each with private parking and backed by a 10-year National House-Building Council warranty.

Thirty one per cent of the properties, 80 in total, will be ‘affordable housing’

Summerfield Homes managing director Ed Khodabandehloo said: “We are pleased to progress with this popular development in Watchet.

“It is a great town with good local amenities benefiting from the lovely coast and countryside on its doorstep.

“We look forward to welcoming prospective purchasers and showcasing our properties at our on-site sales centre.”

The first phase of building has been concentrated at the northern end of the site, closest to Knights Templar and Ingrams Meadow retirement complex and existing homes in Grove Close.

Now, the building work will move higher up the ridge between Watchet and Williton.

The estate forms part of the wider Liddymore Farm development and was first approved nearly five years ago.

The plans were opposed by Watchet Town Council, which was concerned at a lack of car parking spaces and electric charging points, and by councillors in neighbouring Williton who said the site crossed their parish boundary and so should have a fair allocation of affordable housing places.

The planning committee was told a registered social housing provider had bought some of the phase one homes and was in the process of agreeing to purchase more on the remainder of the estate.

Last year, Summerfield provided a new set of electrically-operated gates for Knight Templar to improve the school’s security, which followed the building of a 16-space staff car park in 2022 as part of the company’s community support programme.

Summerfield operates across the Westcountry and has built about 2,000 properties in more than 50 locations since its inception in 1987.

During that time, it has earned a reputation for delivering ‘quality homes to a good specification’.

Watchet is also anticipating a start being made soon on 139 new homes to be built on either side of Normandy Avenue, of which 90 will be open market properties and 49 ‘affordable’.

Grass Roots Planning saw its application on behalf of Edenstone Homes approved in May of last year.

The northern end of the site will be preserved as a hilltop park with views over the Bristol Channel.