CONTRACTORS are about to move in to start work on a controversial new 139-home West Somerset housing estate.

Town and parish councillors in Watchet and Williton opposed the development, and there were nearly 30 letters of objection and neutral comments from local residents, and damning criticism from Somerset Council’s placemaking manager Fiona Webb.

But, the plans were approved and developer Edenstone is now preparing to start work on its Underwood Gardens estate south of Doniford Road and Normandy Avenue, Watchet.

Edenstone said the development would bring benefits including a hilltop park, a community orchard, affordable homes, and investment in schools.

It expects the release of the first of the energy-efficient new homes for sale off-plan this winter and a show home to open in early 2026.

Edenstone operations director Chris Edge said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes since our plans were approved and are now gearing up to start work on 139 new homes at Underwood Gardens in Watchet.

“Addressing local housing need, affordable housing will account for 35 per cent of the development.

“There will be lots of open space for residents to enjoy as we will be creating two village greens, a hilltop park with play area, community orchard, and seating areas looking toward the Quantock Hills and the Severn Estuary.

“We will also be investing in the local area, having agreed community contributions worth more than £750,000.

“Most of this funding has been allocated to pre-school and primary education locally to support the growth of the neighbourhood.

“There will also be funding for travel plans.”

Mr Edge said the affordable homes would include one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom coach houses, and two, three, and four-bedroom houses which will be available for intermediate and social rent via a registered social landlord.

Open market properties would vary from two to four bedrooms, including 20 bungalows, to cater for all sectors of the community and almost every buyer and budget.

Mr Edge said: “Bungalows are the rarest of new builds but will account for more than a fifth of our private sale properties in Watchet.

“The bungalows will be among the homes that will overlook the new hilltop park and existing woodland.

“This area will be carefully managed to protect and enhance its biodiversity and ecology, while giving the development a rural or garden suburb feel.”

The Watchet site will be Edenstone’s second development to launch in Somerset after its Eden’s Green estate in Bleadon, near Weston super Mare, with developments also planned in East Brent and West Huntspill later in the year.

Mr Edge said the new Watchet properties were designed to reference the existing materials palette and architectural character of the town, and a majority of them would have electric vehicle charging points.

There will be a stone dressed hedge bank at the entrance to the site to link back to the rural vernacular of the area, and new tree-lined streets and green corridors will be created to provide a joined up green network of spaces.