Petition opposes new homes on 'valued green space'

Karen Sharkey and Alex Shaw-Young are campaigning against the new development

Hundreds of residents have signed a petition to prevent a green space from being turned into new homes.

Bloor Homes submitted initial plans for 225 houses between Rhode Lane and the Hamp Brook in Bridgwater, Somerset, last month. The proposed site provides a green buffer between the town and the Quantock Hills.

Alex Shaw-Young, who lives near the proposed site, created the online petition which describes the site as being "a valued green space for the community". It calls for the plans to be rejected and has already surpassed 1,000 signatures.

A spokesperson for Bloor Homes said it will "carefully consider all feedback received during the public consultation process".

Mr Shaw-Young said the proposals are "absolutely ridiculous", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"Our major concern is infrastructure. If you look at Wills Road and Rhode Lane now, they're not going to be take the traffic from another 225 homes," Mr Shaw-Young said.

"Building of new homes is important. However, developing on this greenfield site is not the answer. There are much better alternatives, such as brownfield sites."

Access to the development site will be from Rhode Lane, with a new T-junction being constructed to give priority to traffic from the new homes.

The site, which includes a public right of way across the Meads towards St. Matthew's field, is a popular area for dog walkers.

Karen Sharkey, who has lived in the town for 42 years, said she will consider moving away if the development is approved.

"How many fields are going to be taken away? If this goes ahead, I don't want to live here any more," she said.

Bloor Homes, which is expected to submit a formal planning application to Somerset Council before Christmas, is already delivering 237 homes on King's Drive in the town.

It also intends to begin work shortly on the Staplegrove urban extension in Taunton which will provide 713 homes and commercial space.

The developer declined to comment on the petition, but a spokesperson said: "Any future proposals for the site will include detailed plans to demonstrate safe access and egress."

Somerset Council's planning committee is expected to make a decision by the late spring of 2026.