CONTRIBUTIONS to the community of more than £750,000 for local pre-school and primary education, plus funding for travel, will be paid out by developers building 139 new homes in Watchet.

The first new homes at Underwood Gardens, a controversial development on land south of Doniford Road and Normandy Avenue, will be ready for occupation in the autumn, builders Edenstone Homes announced this week.

Underwood Gardens is the first West Somerset development by the Wales-based builder.

In 2025, planning permission for the scheme was opposed by town and parish councillors in Watchet and Williton and by more than 30 residents.

Edenstone operations director Chris Edge said: “We are now reaching an exciting stage as we begin planning the release of our first homes for sale.

“There will be a choice of private sale properties with two to four bedrooms, including bungalows.

“The housing mix is designed to cater for all sectors of the community, with something for almost every buyer and budget.”

Affordable housing will account for 35 per cent of the development, including one and two-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom coach houses, and two, three, and four-bedroom homes available for intermediate and social rent via a registered social landlord.

The number of bungalows on the site has been increased to 20.

Mr Edge said: “Bungalows are now the rarest of new builds.

“But, they will account for more than a fifth of our Underwood Gardens private sales.”

The developer said the majority of the new homes would have electric vehicle charging points.

Other facilities in the development include a village green, a hilltop park with play area, a community orchard, and seating areas looking toward the Quantock Hills and the Severn Estuary.

Mr Edge said: “The area will be carefully managed to protect and enhance the biodiversity and ecology while giving the development a rural or garden suburb feel.”