PROPOSALS for a 200-home development on the outskirts of Chard have been submitted to South Somerset District Council.

Gladman Developments have applied for planning permission to build up to 200 houses on a site in between Tatworth Road and Forton Road.

The proposals include an informal public open space and children’s play area, access points, planting and landscaping, and the developers have indicated that up to 35 per cent of the homes will be “affordable housing.”

The applicants have said that they want to build a scheme which is “visually attractive”, offering a range of homes varying from two to five bedrooms.

The earmarked site covers 8.31 hectares and comprises four agricultural fields divided by hedgerows which form an irregular L-shape.

The site is bounded by the A358 Tatworth Road to the west and the B3162 Forton Road to the east beyond which are properties accessed via Henderson Drive and Russell Pope Avenue.

The northern boundary of the site is formed by hedges and fences to the gardens of homes in King Ine Close, Wessex Close, King Cuthred Drive and some in King Athelstan Drive, while the Ashcroft Playing Fields form the north eastern boundary.

Further playing fields, including football pitches, and allotments are situated on the western side of Tatworth Road via Chardstock Lane.

Plans include a number of walking and cycling routes, while the developers have indicated that although there will be varying heights of buildings, most will be two-storey.

“The development will comprise of high quality housing catering for families, an increasingly ageing population and those that work from home, for example,” said a spokesman for the developers.

“The development will create up to 200 homes with associated public open space, providing a choice of housing to meet the needs of the area, while respecting and enhancing the site’s environmental assets.

“A proportion of the new homes will be in the form of affordable housing.”

The application will be discussed by local planners before a final decision on the proposals is made by South Somerset District Council.