A total of 210 new homes could be built near the M5 in North Petherton if plans are approved in the coming months.

Gladman Developments has teased plans for a new housing development on the eastern side of Newton Road, adjacent to several major developments at the southern end of the town.

The Congleton-based developer and land promoter intends to deliver the new homes on land north of the Petherton Park School, which is currently in agricultural use.

A decision on the initial plans (known as a screening request) is expected to be made within weeks, after which more detailed proposals for the layout and access arrangements will be submitted to Somerset Council.

The site lies opposite three contiguous development sites within North Petherton – the Chaucer’s Meadow estate (comprising 72 homes delivered by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley), the Royal View estate (comprising 130 homes constructed by Barratt Homes) and a further development 33 houses by West of England Developments (Taunton) Ltd.

Persimmon previously attempted to build 140 homes on this site, but was refused permission by Sedgemoor District Council back in 2017 – a decision which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate the following year.

No masterplan for the homes or the access arrangements onto Newton Road has been made public, but Gladman has indicated that the site will include the required amount of public open space and that drainage improvements will be carried out to reduce the localised flooding risk to both residents and the motorway.

Senior planner Amy Aldridge said: “The site is not considered to be particularly sensitive, and a review of the site and location indicates that the chances of likely significant effects arising on this site are minimal.

“The effects which are likely to arise from the proposed development have been considered and it is concluded that none of the likely effects are considered to be significant.

“The proposals are not considered to be of a scale or character that would be likely to have significant environmental effects on the environment.”

Somerset Council will make a ruling on the screening request in the coming weeks, with Gladman expected to submit outline plans for formal consultation later in the year.

Detailed plans are also expected shortly for a development of 45 homes on the A38 Taunton Road at the northern end of the town – which will also include a 66-bed care home and a new doctors’ surgery to replace the current facility on Church Walk.