Plans revealed for mixed-use scheme near Gravity Smart Campus

Plans that would see 1,400 homes, a primary school, local centre and play areas built on a site opposite the proposed Gravity Smart Campus have been revealed.Persimmon Homes Severn Valley is seeking allocation for land west of the town in Somerset Council’s forthcoming Local Plan, stating it will be “an opportunity for sustainable economic growth in the area”, which will “help address the acute housing need”.The site sits opposite the proposed 616-acre Gravity Smart Campus, which is expected to bring forward more than 7,500 jobs and uses including rail, health, sports and other social facilities.The economic benefits of Persimmon’s proposed development would include millions of pounds worth of investment in S106, Community Infrastructure Levy contributions and new council tax receipts.Construction would also support hundreds of jobs each year, as well as about 200 created at the operational stage.The vision outlined by the housebuilder includes 1,400 new homes, a primary school, mixed-use local centre and mobility hub, football pitches, equipped play areas, and active travel routes to be constructed between Woolavington Road and Crancombe Lane.Persimmon Homes Severn Valley managing director Paul Moody said: “Woolavington West provides a great opportunity to deliver a quality and sustainable development of new homes, community facilities and services in the local area.”The scheme will help meet local housing need and is a logical site which will complement the exciting employment plans proposed at the nearby Gravity Smart Campus.”Our vision for the site prioritises a sense of place and would create a positive legacy locally through the delivery of several key community facilities and amenities.”Through an allocation in the forthcoming Somerset Local Plan, Woolavington West would deliver a mix of much needed homes aligned to the local authority’s housing requirements and wider social, economic and environmental ambitions for the area.”